University of South Carolina Aiken Athletics

University of South Carolina Aiken head men’s soccer coach Ike Ofoje not only mentions the camaraderie that his team should have with one another on and off the field, but he continually preaches that it is a family environment.

While coaches generally tell their kids to treat each other like family and play alongside one another like they are family, it is sometimes difficult for student-athletes to do so. However, within the confines of his 2014 team, part of his team not only treats each other like family, but they are family.

This season, Ofoje is blessed to have brothers on the squad in junior Dean Smith and rookie Brett Smith.

“People would generally expect a sibling rivalry,” Ofoje stated. “Fortunately, Dean and Brett were raised well and genuinely get along with one another. They are both outgoing. By having both of them, it has made my life a lot easier. I don’t have to worry about a lot of things with them. Their family and our team have the same beliefs in terms of team culture.

“When I started recruiting Dean, there were three other players from his school that I was recruiting,” Ofoje said. “I knew if I could get one, multiple kids would follow. Although Dean initially looked to go elsewhere, he found his way to USC Aiken and it has been a great deal ever since.”

As a freshman, Dean helped the team to a 6-6-6 mark, but the impressive part of the season was the squad advancing to the Peach Belt Conference Championship match despite having a young line-up. That year, Dean played in all 18 matches and started 16. Part of the reason Dean started as a freshman was due to team personnel. He was willing to move from his midfield position to right back for the betterment of the team.

“Typically we give our freshmen time to adjust to the school and the pace of the game,” Ofoje said. “Dean came in and took over as a young, small, but very tough student-athlete. Once he earned the starting spot, he has yet to give it up. The consistency he has provided has been outstanding.”

After the team fought its way to the league championship match during Dean’s freshman year, the Pacers played several close matches last year, but they came up on the short end a few contests. However, an excellent recruiting class, in addition to having more experienced student-athletes that were now upperclassmen has made a difference this season.

“Once Dean was here, I knew the possibility of also having Brett on the team two years later was a better possibility,” Ofoje mentioned. “Having both brothers here not only creates a good pipeline for me, but it helps me instill the family culture that we want.”

Through the first 11 matches of the 2014 season, Brett has already made an impact. He has played in nine contests and has started once. In his first career start, Brett tallied the game-winning goal on his first career shot on the road at Pfeiffer.

“I expect Brett to score,” Ofoje said. “He has high hopes for himself and sees himself as a ‘playmaker’ despite being a defensive midfielder.

“In the last three matches we have played (all wins), Brett has come onto the field to secure the contest,” Ofoje stated. “He is like a closer in baseball. Any lead we have will be protected when he is in there. By the end of the season, Brett will totally grasp the role of the ‘destroyer.’

“Like his brother, Brett is also a pleasure to coach,” Ofoje stated. “I am very fortunate to have both players on the team for this year and next.

“Every few years coaches are blessed for having genuinely good kids,” Ofoje said. “Brett and Dean are those type of student-athletes. They make the job fun and that is one of the reasons I coach.”

So far, the two have helped the Pacers to an 8-2-1 mark on the season, including a 3-1 effort against league competition. Every day, the team becomes closer to one another and the family atmosphere that Ofoje wants to have begins with the two that are already brothers.