Link to Complete E8 Feature

Christian Vaalstuen returns for his third season with the Russell Sage men's soccer team in 2020-21. Vaalstyen enjoyed a breakout season for the Gators in 2019, earning All-Empire 8 second team honors, while leading his team to a second-place finish in the Empire 8 standings and a berth in the league tournament.

Vaalstuen, a native of Lillestrom, Norway, has appeared in 32 career games for the Gators over the last two seasons and has four points. Vaalstuen, a health sciences major, is a standout in the classroom as with a 3.47 grade-point average. He was named Sage's Gator of the Year following the 2018 season.

Institution: Russell Sage College
 
Sport/Position: Soccer/Center Midfield

Academic Major: Health Sciences
 
GPA: 3.47

Class Year: Junior
 
Academic Honors/Clubs/Community Service Roles? Fall 2018 Dean's list, Spring 2019 Dean's list, Gator of the Year award: Men's Soccer 2018-2019.
 
What Have You Done During the COVID-19 Pandemic to Stay Active and What Are Some Positive Effects of the Pandemic You Have Experienced?
I was lucky enough to live in a place where the gyms were reopened in June. I was able to lift weights throughout the entire summer. In terms of playing soccer, I had to improvise by playing a lot by myself and occasionally, I was able to play with some old teammates of mine. Some of the positive things that have come from all of this include being able to spend more time with my family.

What Role has Soccer Played in your Personal Development?
Soccer has helped me develop a lot as a person. Most of the stuff I have learned after being a collegiate athlete will stay with me for the rest of my life. There are a lot of life skills such as discipline, leadership, time management and respect. I have learned that doing the right things on the field will assist me in doing the right things in other settings as well, such as the classroom.

At what age did you start playing Soccer and what made you stay with it? Did you play any other sports growing up?
I was born with a ball in my feet. My mother used to play professional soccer and my father, who most likely could have played professional soccer if he wanted it more, pushed soccer on me right away. And I loved it! I started playing for an actual team when I was five years old. At first it was the community that kept me in the game. However, as I grew older, I wanted to achieve more and advance on the field. When I saw that I could play competitive soccer while getting an education, I just could not say no. I also played handball when I was much younger.

Any Superstitions When It Comes to Pregame Rituals/Training?
Before games I like to visualize myself in different situations that I might end up in throughout the game. This can be both a whole play or just the weight and length of a pass. Other than that I do not have any superstitions.
 
Why Did You Decide to Attend Russell Sage?
I worked with an agency that helped kids find places to become college student-athletes right out of high school. I started the process a little late so there was really no time for colleges to look at me. The former head coach of Russell Sage's men's soccer team took a chance on me and asked me to come play here. At the time I did not know anything about college or collegiate sports, and my plan was to transfer after freshman year. However, I ended up falling in love with the place. Russell Sage has a great student community, faculty and staff who really cares about your performance. And on top of that, there is a great educational system with plenty of majors to choose from. As a student here at Russell Sage, I have people all around me who want me to succeed, and it really helps.
 
How has Playing Collegiately and in the Empire 8 Prepared You For Life After College?
Being able to play in the Empire 8 has been a blessing. Everyone I meet and speak with, regardless if they are from my college or not, wants the same thing; success. This drives me to be the best version of me that I can be. The Empire 8 has prepared me for the future by showing me that by putting in hard work, anything can be accomplished.

Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time in College:
My favorite memory has to be my sophomore year when we played Alfred at home in the Empire 8 semifinals. Unfortunately, we lost, and I hated it at the time. However, looking back at it I really loved the moments on the field. It was a beautiful night, friends and family cheering us on from the stands. Some of the people I cared about most in one place, and it was amazing. If we would have won, my memory would most likely be even better. At the end of the day, you are only getting so many games to play. Because of that, I am trying to enjoy all of them as if they were my last.

Favorite Professional Athlete/Pro Team: Lionel Messi/Manchester United

Favorite Movie: Inception

Favorite TV Show: The Office
 
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Peaky Blinders
 
Favorite Food: All of it (except sour cream)
 
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Raspberry sorbet

One Thing Most People Do Not Know About You: I am bilingual
 
Advice to Younger Student-Athletes on Why You Chose to Play a Collegiate Sport and Why Playing A Sport is So Important/Beneficial?
I chose to play a collegiate sport because I wanted to combine education and soccer. Soccer also helps me to loosen up and relax mentally. When I am on that field, I am only concentrating on what is going on there. It is a great way to relieve stress. As a student-athlete, you will be held to a higher standard and will have to learn how to manage your time properly. This is a challenge, but if you overcome that challenge, you are better set for the future. On top of all of that, when you are a part of a sports team, you will always have people around you that care about you. It is a great way of socializing.


The Empire 8 Conference's "Why I Play" Series features a student-athlete from one of its member institutions who discusses devotion to its respective sport.

ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.