34 “Laredo is a special place. I have met many individuals who have graduated and miss Laredo every day. The people are so welcoming. As someone who did not know Spanish when I arrived and struggled sometimes with English, I am now fluent in both,” he notes. From a soccer ball at his feet to a laptop in his hands, he continues to chase goals—only now, they look a little different. Read more at go.tamiu.edu/ahmadi-athlete. Story by former TAMIU Sports Information Director Austin D. Childress ’15 ALUM GOES FROM SOCCER CAPTAIN TO SOCCER COACH AT TAMIU For TAMIU women’s soccer coach Jovany Macias (‘15) the road to the sidelines started where it all began — under the scorching Laredo sun, wearing the same Dustdevil brand he still wears. It’s a full-circle moment years in the making. From soccer cleats to clipboards, captain to coach, student-athlete to mentor, his journey is proof that with heart, resilience, and vision, home can be both launchpad and legacy. “Everything the game teaches you — discipline, resilience, how to handle tough situations — it made me who I am today,” Macias says, “TAMIU gave me that. And now I’m giving it back.” Coming to TAMIU wasn’t just about soccer. It was about transformation. As a student-athlete, he found himself surrounded not only by great coaches such as TAMIU’s Claudio Arias, who has mentored so many… but great people — administrators, professors, and staff who fueled his success on and off the field. The experience lit a fire that’s never gone out. Today, that drives the culture he’s creating. Discipline is the foundation of his leadership, but mental health, visualization, and self-care are also cornerstones — a nod to his own practices as a player. “I used to envision myself scoring goals. Now, I try to help my players envision greatness in themselves,” Macias noted. Now, he’s in charge of a program that helped shape his life, and the stakes feel both deeply personal and profoundly professional. Macias is writing TAMIU soccer’s next chapter with the same energy, pride, and hunger he had as a student-athlete. And he’s not doing it alone. Brother José and sister Valeria both wore Dustdevil colors. His proposal to now-wife Alexandria happened on the TAMIU pitch — at a 2015 match against West Texas A&M. They now share a son, Kristiano. “This University took a chance on me. Coaching here — it’s not just a job; it’s a dream come true. All my career goals were to lead me back here… right here. At TAMIU. And I’m not done yet,” he confirmed. Read more at go.tamiu.edu/macias-athletics. Story by former TAMIU Sports Information Director Austin D. Childress YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS Make a gift in support of TAMIU Students, go.tamiu.edu/give TAMIU Women's Soccer Coach Jovany Macias
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mzk1Mzc4