Stromberg overcomes bad breaks to go out on top

There was a time when Andy Stromberg played soccer just for the goodies that came after the game. But he never knew that soccer would give him so much, and now as his playing career has come to an end, he’s ready to be the one that hands out the goodies.

“It’s very cool,” Stromberg said. “I feel very blessed that I’ve been able to do the things I’ve done.”

What the 1999 South Kitsap graduate has done is an inspirational story of overcoming injury and frustration and turning it into a formula that has paid of in the form of two national championships and a stack of stories to tell others.

Having just graduated from Seattle University with a degree in Liberal Studies with an eye on working as a campus pastor, he’s ready to take what he’s learned and pass it on.

“It’s amazing to look and think back to all the games where you would have orange slices at halftime and the thing you looked forward to the most was having Ding Dongs afterwards,” Stromberg said. "It was just amazing to think that that was the same person I am now and that was part of the same journey that has taken me all over the place, through hell and high water and back again.”

Stromberg’s soccer journey may have ended just a few weeks ago as Seattle University’s perfect season ended with a 2-1 win over Southern Illinois-Edwardsville in the NCAA Division II title game, but how he got there is the real story.

“It’s a nice story,” Stromberg said. “I imagine it will be very easy thing to preach because it’s been an incredible thing for me to live.”

Every time Stromberg stepped on a soccer field, he knew he was the best player out there. He was always the center of attention. He always scored the goals.

But his playing took a toll on his body and, at the age of 14, he had a stress fracture in his lower back. But he overcame that and helped FC United, an under-18 club soccer team, claim a national club title in 1999.

And to make things even better, Stromberg was heading into his senior season at South Kitsap having already signed to play at Seattle University.

Stromberg was the team’s stud and his coach, Eric Bergeson, said whenever the team needed a goal, Stromberg would get it for them. And the Wolves looked primed to make a run not only at the Narrows League title but a state title that year.

“We were loaded that year,” Bergeson said. “And with Andy out there, we knew we were going places.”

But just one game into the season, Stromberg’s year was over as be broke both bones in his left leg while being tackled by an opponent. He was lost for the season and was in danger of losing his scholarship to SU.

But his college coach, Peter Fewing, stood by his man and that shaped the rest of Stromberg’s career.

“I think having gone through a big injury before just helped me have the mentality like, ‘All right, this is just part of the game,’ ” Stromberg said. “I was able to get back into it. Soccer was always such a big part of my life that I don’t think I ever even considered not coming back.”

But he did comeback, although he redshirted his freshman year and was forced to switch positions because of the injury, moving from center mid to to outside. He now had to give up the spotlight and move to a supporting role.

“I think the biggest thing for me was just commitment,” Stromberg said. “Being committed to what I said I would do.

“I knew, regardless of how I felt, or how hard it was, I knew I owed it to (Fewing),” Stromberg said. “I told him I would do this, and he helped me out big-time. I knew that even though it was frustrating for me to not be at the same level that I was, I really needed to honor him and what he did for me.”

The move was the biggest thing he had to deal with, Stromberg said. Much more than the injuries.

“That’s probably the most challenging thing for me,” Stromberg said. “Knowing where I had been before (as a player). I just loved being able to lead by example and being the best player (on the field) and leading from that position.

“So it was very challenging to basically not have that ability,” Stromberg said. “And yet, still trying to do everything I can to lead and inspire. That was probably the toughest thing for me — to lead from a different position.”

But he pulled it off and won his second national championship.

Of course, the irony of the whole thing was without the injury that forced him to miss a year, he would not have played this year.

“I definitely have no complaints,” Stromberg said. “Even though it was a tough road getting back, when you end the season like we did, it was such an amazing experience. It’s amazing the things you go through, it makes it all worth it. It makes my wish I had another four years to go and try to do it again.”

So now he has a couple of titles, some time off and can eat all the Ding Dongs he wants. And he will also tell his story to those that will listen, hoping it will inspire others.

“(I’ll use my experience) as much as possible,” Stromberg said. “I think about how it’s amazing that you don’t know what is in store for you in the future. At the time, things can seem so painful and difficult and you don’t understand why.

“I mean, who am I to get to go through all of this,” Stromberg said. “I feel very fortunate.”

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