Click here to open the ENTIRE WEB SITE in a NEW BROWSER WINDOW

DEFENDER / MIDFIELDER
HT: 5’8”
WT: 135
Born: 11.16.1979 in Anchorage, Alaska
Hometown: Seattle, Wash.
College: UC Berkeley and University of Washington
Qualifying Condition: Cerebral Palsy
Classification: CP8

COACH HOFFMAN SAYS:
"A player with a great work ethic, always fit and has good ideas about the game, Slammer, as we call him, has elevated his game to the international level. When he first arrived into the program his soccer experiences were limited but he is proof what one can do if they put in the time and effort on their own. Jason has just come off his most productive international games and we look forward to his contributions for our quest for 2012 Paralympic Game qualification."

Q & A with JASON

When did you first begin playing soccer? I began playing in 2nd grade.

How did you join the U.S. Paralympic Team? Then captain Mike Peters met me and told me to try out.

What is your most memorable moment with the team? Really it was the opening ceremonies in Athens. They were huge.

Other than that it was meeting this one kid who never made the team. I came to my first camp, I was passing the ball with this kid. He was trying out to make the team and I'd never seen anyone with such a severe disability try to play soccer before. He was awful, but had a good attitude and was much younger than me. His grandmother or his mother died during the camp and he had to leave early. I thought he had so much to overcome and his life was just starting off.

Also I remember seeing the captain, and two of our biggest players when I got off the plane and I thought that I was going to get killed on the field. And I was.

Who was your first soccer coach? I don't remember his name but I remember he was very encouraging and he was always trying to push me.

What do you feel is your strength as a player? My passing and maybe my defending.

What do you feel is your weakness as a player? I'm not real strong physically.

Which professional or international soccer player is your role model? I don't have one. Oh! Oh! Martell Vasquez.

What have you learned about yourself from your time with the team? That I have a good touch, and that a person can learn to be competitive.

What would you tell a young player to motivate them to play the game of soccer? It will keep you in good shape. It's harder than most sports and the people in all the other sports know that, so they will respect you. Also, if you have any natural physical talent its likely to help you somehow in soccer since you need so many different skills in soccer to be good.

How has playing with the team positively affected your life? I'm much more interesting to other people, and I'm in better shape. I also know more about disabilities and what I think of them.

Which college are you attending, or graduated, if any? I have 4 degrees. First I got a BA in math from Berkeley. Then I got 2 masters in math (from University of Washington) in number theory and applied math, and lastly I have a PhD in numerical linear algebra, from UW. I have also attended at various times, University Alaska Anchorage, Ohio State University at Columbus, Mt. Holyoke College, and USC.

What is your area of study, or which major, or degree did you obtain? See above.

Since the team is not a full-time job, what do you do full-time? I work at a super computer company called Cray Inc.

What is your goal in life? What dreams do you have? What do you want to attain in life? I would like to be good at my job, a good husband and a good friend.

If you had enough money to do whatever you wanted to the rest of your life, what would you spend your time doing? I kinda believe that I do, and that I am doing it ... I might take more time off to play soccer actually.

Which person has been the most influential and motivational in your life? My wife, especially since I met her. Also my advisor for my Phd.

Who is(are) your role model(s) outside of soccer? See above.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why? Whew ... I'll say Arnold Ross. He taught me number theory when I was only 15 or 16 and he was 90 at the time. I liked him because he and everyone in the class loved what we were doing. Just loved it.

What are some obstacles you've encountered in your life and how did you overcome them? I wrote a long detailed program and I never understood what it did. That was hard. I just kept working at it, and eventually I got it. The only thing I learned was not to give up. I didn't learn any math though.

Can you share a little bit about your family? Brothers, sisters? I have a large and wonderful family including one brother who I think is a great guy. His name is Scott. He is funnier than anyone I've ever met and he always calls me.

Of all the places you have traveled or lived, where is your favorite place? Don't know. I like it here in Seattle a lot. But I like Eagle River where I grew up in Alaska as well.

If you could turn back time and change one decision in your past, what would it be? Play more soccer when I was younger? I don't know. That's a tough one. Maybe nothing. My life is pretty awesome.

If we were casting the movie of your life, which actor would you pick to play you? John Turturro just 'cause he's really a good actor who people don't see enough of (Did you say people would watch this movie?).

If you could have one superhero power, what would it be? To be able to rearrange matter anyway I like. Most other powers should fall from that, and I don't want to stop time.

Do you play any musical instruments? Nope.

If you had to choose only ten CDs to listen to for the next three years, what would they be? I don't know but Neutral Milk Hotel would be up there, and Built to Spill. A couple of trance tracks ...

Are you artistic? I don't create much art. I used to draw more and I used to write more.

Who is your favorite artist, or favorite type of art? Do you have a favorite work of art? I like impressionist stuff.

What would you tell someone so that they had a better understanding of your disability and what it means to you? I'd tell them I didn' know I had it until I was 23. That way they know it's a place in one's mind and not something absolute.

What is your favorite quotation? It's by a guy named Joseph Addison in an act of one of his plays: "Tis not in mortals to command success; but we'll do more, Sempronius, we'll deserve it." - Cato, (Act 1, Scene 2)

Of which accomplishments in your life (excluding soccer) are you most proud? Hehe ... guess. My PhD!

Please share anything else about yourself that wasn't covered above. My shocking good looks were not asked about. That and my ability to fly.