The Calvin Sports Information Office recently caught up with Daniel Wunder, a fifth-year senior on the men's soccer team. Over his career Wunder has posted a .71 goals against average with a .821 save percentage. He has been instrumental in the Knights success during the 2023 season, recording five shutouts and racking up 37 saves. The following is a question and answer session with the Grand Rapids, Mich. native (Grand Rapids Christian).

Q: Coming out of high school, why did you choose to become a Calvin Knight? What drew you to the school and the respective sport you are participating in at Calvin?

Growing up, I had always been part of the Calvin community and spent a lot of time around the campus. My dad is a professor at Calvin, so we frequently watched Calvin soccer games. I have great memories of watching the team play and in high school, I decided to go to school at Calvin to play soccer. I didn't have a great understanding of what college athletics would entail, but I was given an opportunity and went for it. I haven't looked back since.

Q: How would you describe your student-athlete experience at Calvin?

Looking back, I would say my experience has been incredible. I have been able to experience the best that both athletics and academics has to offer. There is a balance needed between school and sports and what I appreciate about Calvin is how well it allowed me to pursue both. Soccer has been a huge part of my college experience and has been life changing, but I have also had many amazing experiences in the classroom and in other areas. I don't think an experience like that happens at many other schools.

Q: You are a fifth-year senior this year. What made you decide to return to Calvin for another year?

Ultimately, I came back because of the guys on the team. Obviously, I love soccer and playing and competing, but I wasn't ready to walk away from the comradery and special dynamic that comes with being a part of Calvin Soccer. It's like nothing I have ever experienced, and I have made some of my best friends and memories over the past four years from it. By doing a fifth year, I wanted to continue growing those relationships as well as create new ones with our incoming class.

Q: How would you describe Coach Souders as well as the rest of the Calvin men's soccer coaching staff? How have that helped you in your career as a Calvin student-athlete?

The coaching staff has been awesome and has made the experience what it was. The program that they have built over the past years is a credit to their commitment to holding every player, as well as themselves, to a high standard. This has led to the success that has been and is to come. Not only does Coach Souders contribute to this, but all of our assistants bring so much to the program. So much work goes on behind the scenes that often players don't know about, and it goes to show how selfless and committed they are to the experience we have. One of the things I appreciate the most about our coaches is that they are not just invested in our on-field success but our success away from the field.

Q: Your favorite professional athlete is who and why?

When I was younger, I was a huge fan of the goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. I thought he was fun to watch, and his style of goalkeeping was crazy. He plays almost like a defender in goal, which I thought was cool, but I would never dare to try to play like he does.

Q: What are your goals with your team for the rest of the upcoming season?

Of course, we plan to continue to have success on the field and win some more trophies. We have some special players and an awesome group of guys who can continue winning games late into the season. I think a big goal is continuing to spend time together. We spend a lot of time together on the field, but I don't just want it to end there. Growing this type of chemistry and connection will help us continue to play well together but more so, can lead into friendships that last far into the future.

Q: Academically, what are you majoring in or thinking about majoring in? Is there a class or a professor that sticks out for you as being your favorite? What are you thinking about doing after you graduate?

This past spring, I graduated with a degree in Exercise Science and am currently working on my master's in Sports Performance here at Calvin. I am also currently working as a performance coach which has been fun and an awesome learning experience. After I graduate in the spring, I hope to join the Grand Rapids Fire Department as a firefighter as well as continue working as a strength and conditioning coach for first responders. I believe these two passions pair perfectly and I am excited to continue figuring out how to do that.

Q: Last May the men's soccer team took a trip to England. What were some personal highlights and team takeaways from the trip?

The trip was an awesome once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were able to tour most of the major Premier League stadiums as well as train at one. We also got to play against some local teams and train with some coaches from academies there. We spent time in many cities such as London, Manchester, and Liverpool. It was a great balance between soccer and experiencing the country, and I think the experience allowed us to grow closer as a team.