North Carolina State University Athletics
Bseiso Defines Wolfpack Tradition
9/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Pack Hosts Virginia Tech Saturday Night
By Tyler Bolton-Fuhrman, NCSU Media Relations Student Assistant
Sept. 24, 2010
RALEIGH, N.C
Talented, determined, and passionate are all words to describe junior midfielder Farouk Bseiso. However, one look at the tattoo on his forearm proves that family stands above everything else. The tattoo, a symbol in which Bseiso designed himself, means "my mother" in Arabic and illustrates his love for his mother.
"I wanted to get something done for my mom, so that every time I step on the field, I can look down and be reminded of the great job she did in raising my brother and me," said Bseiso.
For Bseiso, NC State was a perfect fit from the get-go. The communications major was born and raised mostly in Raleigh, N.C., and fell in love with the city, the color red, and of course, the mascot. When Bseiso joined the Pack in 2008, he wasn't just joining a team, but an entire community.
"Nothing can beat the Wolfpack," said Bseiso. "I can't say enough about the family-like atmosphere while playing here in Raleigh."
Shortly after Bseiso was born, his mother moved him and his twin brother to Tunisia in North Africa, where the two boys fell in love with soccer.
"Soccer was the only thing I ever had in mind, and it was the only sport I ever played," said Bseiso.
After living in Tunisia until he was six years old, Bseiso moved back to Raleigh to focus on school, where he attended the relatively small St. David's High School.
"I really loved coach [Jose] Cornejo and got a great education while attending St. David's," said Bseiso. "The jump to the Division I atmosphere was a relatively smooth transition, because of the great coaching staff at NC State."
It was around his freshman year in high school that Bseiso decided he wanted to play soccer at the college level. Interestingly enough, coach Cornejo and NC State head coach George Tarantini were long-time friends, so Bseiso had been on the Wolfpack head coach's radar for a while. Bseiso's participation in the NC State soccer camps also boosted his relationship with Tarantini.
While playing in high school, Bseiso also competed on the club level with the Triangle Football Club in Raleigh. By his senior year, Bseiso was getting looks from high quality programs such as North Carolina, Davidson, and Appalachian State.
However, the gifted midfielder already knew exactly where he wanted to bring his talents.
"The ACC contains the highest level of competition and I knew that's where the best soccer programs reside," said Bseiso. "NC State was just perfect for me because I didn't have to leave my hometown and my family can come see me play."
Becoming a developed and skilled player on the team did not come easy, as Bseiso began to hear questions about whether he was physically ready strength and speed wise.
"I was determined to play and so I worked non-stop on my game in the off-season to become a respected midfielder," said Bseiso.
He eventually gained a starting spot last year, helping the Pack to a No. 23 final ranking nationally. Also last year, Bseiso helped the Pack reach the ACC Championship game, and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The junior midfielder expressed the particularly strong relationship he has with head coach Tarantini.
"He's so supportive and cares so much about everyone on the team, and he does whatever he can for all the players," said Bseiso. "That's just reassuring knowing your coach is looking out for you."
Bseiso shows off his extremely unselfish attitude when he speaks of his own aspirations for Wolfpack soccer this year.
"I'm not big on stats and numbers, I only want to help the team to the best of my ability," said Bseiso. "Now, as an upperclassmen, it's time for me to be more of a leader and step up into that type of role, and it would also be great to score that first goal."
Bseiso has been one of the leaders for the Pack this far in the 2010 season. He has started all six games as a central midfielder. In the Pack's 5-1 win over Presbyterian on Wednesday, Bseiso finished the game with a pair of assists.
Bseiso additionally emphasized how seriously he takes NC State soccer, and he illustrated the true nature of his character.
"It's all about staying focused and getting the job done," said Bseiso. "I have dreams of playing soccer professionally one day, and I'll do whatever possible to help this team win."
The professional process for Bseiso started this past summer, when he played for the U-23 Carolina Railhawks program, in which he played with other top college players in the nation. The midfielder wants to play professionally in the United States, but would also take his talents to the Middle East or Europe.
The other exceptionally important characteristic of Farouk Bseiso that should be known is his dedication to his heritage. His family is originally from Palestine, and Bseiso enjoys the mix of diversity on the Wolfpack this season.
"It really creates this awesome diversity on the team," said Bseiso. "Both my parents were born in Palestine and speak Arabic. You'll notice I wear an arm band every time I play, which really gives me a sense of who I am and where I came from."
As a soccer player, Bseiso had high interest in this past year's FIFA World Cup. He proudly called the winner right off the bat.
"I wanted Spain to win from the very beginning," said Bseiso. "They had a dream team this year, and if they didn't win this year, I didn't really see them winning for a long time."
Bseiso most idolizes former France World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane in the soccer world.
"No one really comes close to him," said Bseiso. "He was one of the best players in the world, if not ever. I also really look up to midfielder Javier Mascherano who plays for Liverpool the same position as me. He just really goes hard and tackles hard all the time."
Bseiso is continually reminded of his sense of family. His twin brother Fayek currently plays soccer at Loyola University in Maryland.
"We both play the same position, went to the same high school, and played on the same club team," said Bseiso. "It's just really neat to see both of us succeeding in life and living out our dreams of playing soccer."
