CEDAR CITY, Utah – As one of Southern Utah University Soccer's longest-tenured players, Hailey Hamataka has seen the highs and the lows of collegiate soccer. Originally joining the program in the fall of 2021, the journey has been turbulent at times, but she wouldn't have it any other way.
"I knew from a young age that collegiate soccer was my dream," said Hamataka. "My parents spent a lot of time and money helping me play on the top club teams and in the best tournaments and I felt I owed it to them to make sure it wasn't wasted effort."
Before her senior year of high school, Hamataka joined a new club team, which was being coached by SUU's eventual-head coach Kai Edwards.
"We barely even talked, she was one of the best players on the team and was very coachable, but she would show up, handle business and then barely wave on her way out," recalled Edwards.
The Covid-19 Pandemic occurring during Hamataka's senior year was the first time she believed her dream of playing collegiate soccer could be at risk. Hamataka's plan was always to attend a university near her Brentwood, Calif. home; she never imagined she would go very far.
Hailing from a close-knit family background, Hamataka is very close to her sister and wanted to play somewhere where her family could enjoy watching her play after sacrificing so much along the way.
During this time, her club coach, Kai Edwards, was named next head coach of SUU soccer. After a full year of recruiting, Hamataka took a visit to see SUU's campus. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic and corresponding regulations, she couldn't meet with the coaches. Instead, she got a campus tour and saw the facilities.
Coach Edwards didn't have to wait long after that to get an answer, as he received a text from Hamataka's mother asking if she would need to put snow tires on Hailey's car.
Once the season started in the Fall of '21, Hamataka's goal of playing collegiate soccer was completed. However, as one goal was realized, new milestones were set. Hamataka's new goals centered on leaving SUU's soccer program in a better place than when she got there.
"Being a good teammate, having a good attitude, and working hard every day are all things that make the program better. It doesn't just need to be measured in wins and losses," said Hamataka.
Following a successful 2021 freshman campaign, the wins started to accumulate for the Thunderbirds. The 9-6-2 season in 2022 is one of the best the Thunderbirds have ever had.
After another successful season in 2022, Hamataka encountered the biggest trial of her career just before the 2023 spring season was set to begin. An MRI revealed a torn meniscus and surgery that would sideline her for a minimum of five months.
About this difficult time, Hamataka commented that, "I had to learn how to grow without soccer."
Her whole life revolved around soccer. Her happiness depended on it, and her mental and physical well-being were directly tied to playing the game that she loved.
"It is the most she has impressed me in her time here," said Edwards. "When players are sidelined due to injury, it typically goes one of two ways: they either sulk in the injury and let it dictate how they act, or they grow through the injury. Hailey has grown more in 6 months than she did in her whole first year with us."
Edwards has been the most pleased with the way that Hamataka has matured emotionally in her time at SUU. When he coached her in club, they would barely speak other than a typical coach-player relationship. Nowadays, Hamataka will come into his office and talk about life, school, soccer and everything in between.
"Her growth as a person is my favorite part, the changes she has made from her junior year of high school to now, a confident, knowledgeable young woman is amazing. She knows she belongs where she is," said Edwards.
Being injured has helped Hamataka realize just how little time she actually has to play this game. She has essentially three semesters left of collegiate soccer and she doesn't want to waste a second.
"Missing the spring season made me even more motivated to get out there and be the best I can be, because we have so little time to play this game we love," said Hamataka. "I owe it to my younger self. For all the time I have put in, all the sacrifices I made growing up. I owe it to that person to give everything I have each day, and to be the absolute best I can be."
The beautiful game is all Hailey Hamataka has ever known, and she can't wait to get back out on the field with her teammates and continue to bring success to SUU.
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