Perez joins U.S. Navy and continues to pursue athletic interests

William Perez

William Perez was a member of the White County Warrior Soccer team for the past seven years. However, just because he won’t be putting on the maroon and gray anymore doesn’t mean he won’t have opportunities to continue playing the sport that he says carried him through some tough times and gave him hope.

“I had multiple offers to go play college soccer, but ultimately this year did not go the way I expected it to,” Perez said, referencing a barrage of health and personal concerns that kept him from being as consistent in his game as he would have liked. “But I was picked up by the Navy, who also offered me a spot to try out for the All-Navy team.”

Perez, who said that he would like to make a career out of being a sailor in the U.S. Navy, is excited about the opportunity to continue playing soccer. He said that as a member of the All-Navy Team, he would travel to foreign countries to meet up with his other U.S. teammates before matches.

“We will play other countries such as Spain and Germany and other countries,” he said that as a member of the US All-Navy Team he will be given opportunities to see the world. “They will fly us to a country, we will practice on a field there and then play. After the game, they will fly us back to our respective ships or bases.”

While he is off traveling the world, serving his country, and continuing to play the sport he loves, Perez said he hopes the upcoming players at White County High School will keep the Warriors soccer program moving forward.

“It’s a crazy journey sometimes. It’s tough on us, we get beat up a lot, and people don’t believe in us, but keep your head up,” he said is his advice to the Warriors who will take the field next season. “We’ve already set the foundation, so let’s keep going forward.”

Perez said he will always be grateful for the years he spent as a member of the Warriors soccer Team.

“It was one heck of a ride, and I wouldn’t have done it with another class. I love my senior boys. I love the guys we played with the year. Most of all, I love my coach, Coach Haston, he’s always been there for me,” he said. “Soccer gave me a peace of mind, a time away when I needed it. It gave me a passion, and a hope.”