by Jordan Roy-Byrne

Few people understand the enormous difficulties and pressures faced by collegiate student athletes. In addition to regular academic duties, athletes must devote themselves to numerous hours of offseason training, in addition to practices and games with their team.

Such a commitment cannot be taken lightly. A deeper look into the life of Husky men's soccer player Troy Ready reveals an individual who is fully committed to being a student-athlete.

Raised in Spokane, Wash., Ready played for Mead High School, and was attracted to Washington because of his desire to play with the best local players.

His career as a Husky has been littered with unexpected injuries. Prior to his sophomore year, in 2000, Ready hurt his calf in summer play. The injury seemed mild at first, but it lingered, ultimately keeping him out of action for the entire season.

"I tried to do too much too quickly in terms of rehabilitation," he says. "It was still an awesome year for me. The camaraderie of the team was great. I still got the butterflies in my stomach before the games."

Ready was focused in 2001, but his summer came to another premature end, this time due to a broken leg.

"Summer hasn't been going that well for me," Ready chuckles.

Injured for the second-consecutive season, Ready watched again from the sidelines, as his team again won the Pac-10 championship and advanced to the NCAA College Cup.

Ready hit the training room hard, determined to be back on the field in 2002.

"I had so much help," he says. "The medical staff here is just awesome and my dad is a physical therapist as well. Those, combined, really helped me get back on the field."

Ready started three games in 2002, but the team struggled, posting its first losing season since 1968. This season, the whole team this season has bought into the theme of "Building It Back Up" - lifting the program back among the national elite, where it belongs.

"Last year was uncharacteristic of us," says Ready. "We are focused on this year, though. We have a common mindset every practice and every game. I think our character really showed against UNLV."

Trailing the Runnin' Rebels, 1-0, in the season-opener, the Huskies rallied for five goals - including one by Ready himself - to spark a 5-1 win and a string of seven consecutive games without a loss.

"We were down a lot last year, and couldn't come back. That comeback against UNLV was big for us," Ready says.

Ready appears to be "building it back up" himself, with a pair of goals already this season. As usual, he is quick to deflect praise when the topic of individual awards is broached.

"If the team is playing well, our guys will get recognized," he says. "The key is to have your eyes set on the team objective."

In addition to playing soccer, Ready carries a 3.6 grade point average, while majoring in communications. His work in the classroom, coupled with his talent on the field, earned him first-team Academic All-Pac-10 honors last season.

Oh, and as if success in soccer and academics weren't enough, Ready has also been succesful in life, and is engaged to be married.

"My fiancee is my number one fan," Ready says. "Getting hurt can take a lot out of you, but she helped me re-focus, and has provided incredible support throughout my entire career."

Typical Troy Ready - even in the throes of injury, he found a silver lining.