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Boys Soccer Captain Finds Role Despite Untimely Injury
St. Luke’s boys varsity soccer captain Des Pratt had been looking forward to his final season with the team he had given so much to during the previous three years. He was excited to lead his teammates on the field again as the commanding center back who earned all-league honors in 2019.
Unfortunately, Des injured his wrist playing basketball, another sport he loves. The injury required surgery and meant Des would miss almost the entire fall season. This was a devastating blow to Des. To his credit, he dealt with the disappointment and redefined his role as team captain.
The senior from Trumbull attended practice every day to help his fellow teammates through the many drills, with a mixture of encouragement and sometimes a little banter. “I was able to help motivate the team and critique the players, as now I could really watch them in practice. I did a lot more teaching than I expected during my injury, specifically with the defense about positioning and what to do in certain situations. I tried to make it fun though, too.”
Des also stepped into the role of the “official” referee for the boys varsity soccer intrasquad scrimmages played each week during practice. Again, with humor at the forefront, he wore a full official uniform and carried a flag to assist in making calls during the games.
Although he would much rather be playing alongside his peers, Des understood the importance of staying connected with the group and helping in any way he could: “It was very difficult to watch my teammates play when I couldn’t, but seeing how they adjusted in my absence was impressive. I realized that there were many other things I could do to help the team, so I stayed positive and focused my energy on supporting my teammates. Before my injury, I had to focus on everybody. During my recovery, I was able to work more with the freshman and make sure that they felt included and part of the team.”
Des found a way to have fun and contribute to the team, although in a very different way to previous years. Asked what advice he would give to anyone who finds themself in a similar situation he said: “It is obviously disappointing if you find out you will miss most of the season, but there are so many other things you can do to help or benefit your team. Don’t get
discouraged, and make the most of the tough situation.”
Thank you, Des, for those wise words and your team spirit.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 35 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Center for Leadership builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
