The Anteater soccer program got started in 1984, and started quite well winning 12 matches in its first year under head coach Derek Lawther. The Anteater soccer teams of the 80s and 90s laid the foundation for the national success the program has grown to over the last 15 years. In the same way, those Anteaters from the first few years of the program have succeeded along their paths as well. In our Alumni Spotlight this month, we recognize one of those alums that has made the most of his UCI experience and is at the top of his game nearly 30 years later – Rob Wynner.
Rob was part of the program starting in 1988 through 1991. Growing up in Thousand Oaks, Rob was looking to attend a UC school, and with the help of his club coach, Marwan Assad, he got introduced to the UCI coaching staff; the loud, fiery, fun head coach Derek Lawther and his assistant Bob O'Leary, the lighter of the two described as a terrific person and a former pro, founder of the Pateadores club in Southern California.
Wynner played in some scrimmages at the very same Crawford Field, and earned a walk-on spot among the select crew of freshmen that included Damon Ellis and Ralph Guzman. Right from the start, he and his fellow freshmen felt the love from the other, older teammates.
"The older guys helped me figure out what classes to take. They were terrific resources and super helpful to us freshmen and younger players, to the point of helping us get jobs."
Wynner was also part of a fraternity like most of his teammates at the time, and coached soccer as well at nearby University High School with teammate Cameron Beaulac. Along with his four years of soccer, Wynner described himself as a "pretty serious student" as well. A couple of years in, he latched on to his psychology major where he would finish with his degree in and really propel him to bigger things.
"I took a year off and lived in Mammoth as a ski instructor, but then I landed in law school at Loyola Marymount. Psychology was the basis of my law career. I don't know how many lawyers do that, but the education at UC Irvine was definitely excellent preparation for law school."
Wynner finished top 10 in his class at LMU much like he did at UC Irvine graduating cum laude. "I felt like I had done the work at UC Irvine that prepared me, I like the education I got at UC Irvine and thought it was really good."
His hard work paid off as he joined a large international law firm of Bryan Cave, LLP in Santa Monica. He then joined up with his current firm in 1999 becoming partner of NPW in 2011 where he specializes in mergers, acquisitions, and outside general counsel work among a whole host of other practice areas that can be found at his firm website.
His soccer career was far from over, however. He didn't play much soccer right after graduating, what with law school and raising two kids. He continued to coach and did so for each of his kids throughout their years in club through into high school where one currently is and the eldest has recently graduated from. With that, his own soccer career has resurfaced.
"My soccer career has had a resurgence as an old guy," he jokes. Rob got into the pick-up games in his 30s, but then at 45 he joined the Maccabi USA Masters team in 2015 where he's been a key part of the success from winning bronze in Chile at the Pan American Maccabi games, to tournaments in Israel, and even last year taking home another bronze in the 2019 games in Mexico City. "It's a lot of fun, the comradery and the travel is really great." He's reconnected with old teammates as well. Eric Nasarenko, who was Wynner's teammate in 1990 and 1991, also plays in leagues near him. The two were a week away from playing together on a Sunday-league team before the shutdown happened. They still found a way to connect, and will play together once pick-up games are a thing again along with the other former teammates he regularly plays with and against.
It all came full circle with the Maccabi team connecting with now UCI head coach Yossi Raz, who at the time was still honing his craft at Cal Poly Pomona and soccer club, Real So Cal. Wynner has been connected to the program on every level having a relationship with another former UCI coach, George Kuntz, and through his brother. Wynner knew long-time UCI assistant and head coach Chris Volk from when they were kids and playing against each other in high school.
Between the ties to every coach the program has seen, and his love for UCI and the team, he's always found ways to give back and keep up with the program.
"I'm happy to support the team. I had a terrific experience as a student-athlete at UC Irvine. I think back at my college career, and balancing sports and school and competing at that level was a great experience for me. I loved every part, every practice, every game, I didn't mind traveling, and I loved the teammates. It was a great place to go to school and great experience to me which is why I support the team today."
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