Hailing from Agárd, Hungary, Samuel Nagy, a junior social science major, is the new midfielder for the men’s soccer team.
Transferring from a Division I program at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, and playing for the Kansas City Roos, his transition here was significantly influenced by his soccer career.
“I had issues with the coach at my last school,” he says, emphasizing that his move was largely motivated by the desire for a better playing environment.
“I really like it here. I have a really good relationship with the coach and my teammates. They give me a lot of trust, and it makes me feel special,” Nagy says.
This trust has allowed Nagy to thrive in his first semester with the team, where he not only brings skill from his past experiences but a strong academic record. He recently earned a spot on the Summit League Academic Honor Roll.
“I’m working a lot. I feel I’m trying my best on and off the field. That’s the key to success within school and sports,” Nagy says.
Before arriving in the United States, Nagy’s soccer journey was rich with accomplishments, including being a part of the Hungarian national team from the under 15 to under-19 levels.
“[It is] probably the biggest honor of my career to represent my country in the sport I love,” he says.
During his time with the Hungarian national team, he competed against other nations, including the Netherlands and Italy. He says playing against these countries’ teams provided him with invaluable experiences and skills.
Nagy’s achievements in Hungary also include two national championships with his club team.
“Those seasons were a lot of hard work,” he says. “I never thought about going to college; my focus was solely on professional soccer.”
However, life took him in a different direction, leading him to the SCSU soccer program with a new set of goals.
Nagy’s ambition is: “I like to win. And I want to win. Everything I do is about winning.”
This competitive spirit drives him, not only in sports, but in all aspects of his life. Reflecting on his experiences with teammates, he says he has learned a lot about personal growth on and off the field.
Men’s head soccer coach, Kevin Anderson, says the team was in need of a dominant offensive left-footed player, which is what it received when Nagy was selected from the transfer portal.
Once discovering Nagy, Anderson says the coaching staff felt he was someone they wanted to see play for the university.
“Samuels is a talented attacking player,” Anderson says. “He’s been able to play a number of roles for us based on whatever formation that we’re playing, but his contributions in games, in practice and his overall desire to challenge himself, and to challenge others, are what we needed.”
As a midfielder, Nagy plays a crucial role in his team’s strategy.
“I’m the one who builds our attack,” he says. “It’s everything together. I think it’s the hardest position on the field.”
His understanding of the game, combined with his previous experiences, enables him to contribute significantly to the team.
Family remains a pivotal part of Nagy’s journey. Having moved away from Hungary at a young age, he expresses both pride in his accomplishments and the difficulty of being apart.
“Hopefully, they’re proud of me,” he says. “They just ask me to give my best, and I do that every day.”
