University Southern California Trojans
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/ Women's Soccer
Photo by: John McGillen
Sydney Sladek: A Father and Daughter’s Unbreakable Soccer Bond
September 28, 2017 | Women's Soccer, Features
The Trojan senior is as close as can be with her father.
By: Carly Fasciglione, USC Sports Information Student Assistant
Senior midfielder Sydney Sladek has quite the trophy case. With two Nevada state championships, three state MVPs, a state career scoring record and a NCAA National Championship ring on her finger, Sladek has accomplished tremendous goals, but she says none of it would have been possible without her father. From club soccer in elementary school to her final season as a Trojan as a reigning NCAA champion, Joe and Sydney Sladek have tackled their soccer journey together.
Interestingly enough, it was Sydney and her older sister Haley that introduced their dad to soccer. Joe Sladek had never played a single game of soccer before his daughters fell in love with the sport. Sydney's love for the game from an early age led her dad to quickly fall in love with the game too and eventually inspired him to start coaching his girls. Sydney recalls her dad truly devoting himself to soccer when he brought her to a tryout in Las Vegas for a club team. "That's where he began his love for soccer too," Sydney said, "seeing how much I enjoyed it and how much he enjoyed it with me."
From there, Joe was all in. He became the coach for Sydney's regional club team and later became the coach of her team at Pahrump Valley High School. The Sladek sisters, led by Coach Joe Sladek, ushered Pahrump Valley High School to two straight state championships in 2011 and 2012. Soccer is a family affair in the Sladek family and Sydney says having her dad coaching her from the sideline was incredibly influential for her growth as both a player and as a person. "I know it can be hard to relate to a coach on a more personal level, but my dad knew what was going on in my life outside of soccer and I was better able to relate to him," Sydney said, "It was a really great bond we both shared. He was never just my coach; he was always my dad on the field."
It was always a dream of Sydney and Joe's for Sydney to play Division I soccer, so it was an achievement for the whole family when Sydney committed to play for USC. Sydney says through her journey as a soccer player, her father always highlighted the value of hard work to help her reach the next stage of her playing career.
Joe has stayed involved in Sydney's soccer career in college as well, attending all of her home games and as many away games as he can. Considering all the time she spent hearing her dad's voice coaching her from the sideline, Sydney says hearing her dad's voice from the stands always puts her at ease. "It makes me feel more relaxed and comfortable. His voice reassures me to just calm down, play my game, and have fun with it, like he always tells me to do."
Joe hasn't given up their special gameday sweets ritual either. From her earliest playing days, Sydney always loved to eat a sweet treat on gamedays. "He would always make sure I had gummy bears or blueberry muffins. He still sneaks chocolate chip cookies to me every game." Sydney says that her dad always sends her a pregame text as well, that in her words are just "unbelievable".
Sydney has been a winner at every stage of her soccer career with her dad's help, but she says that winning a national championship has made her incredibly grateful for all the time and energy her dad has put into her journey. From long game day drives to weekend tournament trips, Sydney and her dad share an unbreakable bond because of soccer. "It's an amazing thing to see all the hardships we've been through and see where we are now. I want to cry just thinking about all the sacrifices he's made for me."
Sydney will always be proud of her impressive list of soccer accomplishments, but the bond she shares with her dad because of soccer is truly the remarkable part. A father and daughter worked tirelessly together to reach the highest level of competition by working hard, playing the game, and always remembering to just have fun.
Sydney is looking to continue her legacy on the field as the Trojans try to repeat their championship season. You can catch Sydney, Joe, and likely some gameday chocolate chip cookies this Thursday at McAlister Field as the Trojans face off against Pac-12 rivals Oregon State and then the following Sunday, Oct. 1 when the Trojans host Oregon. The game against Oregon is a Dads and Daughters Day, where for just $25 fans will get two game tickets, a USC stein, USC insulated water bottle, two hot dogs, two root beers and the first 150 packages will also receive a commemorative 2016 NCAA Championship poster. Packages will sell out, so to purchase yours, visit usctrojans.com/dads.
Senior midfielder Sydney Sladek has quite the trophy case. With two Nevada state championships, three state MVPs, a state career scoring record and a NCAA National Championship ring on her finger, Sladek has accomplished tremendous goals, but she says none of it would have been possible without her father. From club soccer in elementary school to her final season as a Trojan as a reigning NCAA champion, Joe and Sydney Sladek have tackled their soccer journey together.
Interestingly enough, it was Sydney and her older sister Haley that introduced their dad to soccer. Joe Sladek had never played a single game of soccer before his daughters fell in love with the sport. Sydney's love for the game from an early age led her dad to quickly fall in love with the game too and eventually inspired him to start coaching his girls. Sydney recalls her dad truly devoting himself to soccer when he brought her to a tryout in Las Vegas for a club team. "That's where he began his love for soccer too," Sydney said, "seeing how much I enjoyed it and how much he enjoyed it with me."
From there, Joe was all in. He became the coach for Sydney's regional club team and later became the coach of her team at Pahrump Valley High School. The Sladek sisters, led by Coach Joe Sladek, ushered Pahrump Valley High School to two straight state championships in 2011 and 2012. Soccer is a family affair in the Sladek family and Sydney says having her dad coaching her from the sideline was incredibly influential for her growth as both a player and as a person. "I know it can be hard to relate to a coach on a more personal level, but my dad knew what was going on in my life outside of soccer and I was better able to relate to him," Sydney said, "It was a really great bond we both shared. He was never just my coach; he was always my dad on the field."
It was always a dream of Sydney and Joe's for Sydney to play Division I soccer, so it was an achievement for the whole family when Sydney committed to play for USC. Sydney says through her journey as a soccer player, her father always highlighted the value of hard work to help her reach the next stage of her playing career.
Joe has stayed involved in Sydney's soccer career in college as well, attending all of her home games and as many away games as he can. Considering all the time she spent hearing her dad's voice coaching her from the sideline, Sydney says hearing her dad's voice from the stands always puts her at ease. "It makes me feel more relaxed and comfortable. His voice reassures me to just calm down, play my game, and have fun with it, like he always tells me to do."
Joe hasn't given up their special gameday sweets ritual either. From her earliest playing days, Sydney always loved to eat a sweet treat on gamedays. "He would always make sure I had gummy bears or blueberry muffins. He still sneaks chocolate chip cookies to me every game." Sydney says that her dad always sends her a pregame text as well, that in her words are just "unbelievable".
Sydney has been a winner at every stage of her soccer career with her dad's help, but she says that winning a national championship has made her incredibly grateful for all the time and energy her dad has put into her journey. From long game day drives to weekend tournament trips, Sydney and her dad share an unbreakable bond because of soccer. "It's an amazing thing to see all the hardships we've been through and see where we are now. I want to cry just thinking about all the sacrifices he's made for me."
Sydney will always be proud of her impressive list of soccer accomplishments, but the bond she shares with her dad because of soccer is truly the remarkable part. A father and daughter worked tirelessly together to reach the highest level of competition by working hard, playing the game, and always remembering to just have fun.
Sydney is looking to continue her legacy on the field as the Trojans try to repeat their championship season. You can catch Sydney, Joe, and likely some gameday chocolate chip cookies this Thursday at McAlister Field as the Trojans face off against Pac-12 rivals Oregon State and then the following Sunday, Oct. 1 when the Trojans host Oregon. The game against Oregon is a Dads and Daughters Day, where for just $25 fans will get two game tickets, a USC stein, USC insulated water bottle, two hot dogs, two root beers and the first 150 packages will also receive a commemorative 2016 NCAA Championship poster. Packages will sell out, so to purchase yours, visit usctrojans.com/dads.
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