Oct. 27, 2008

(San Francisco) - Before the USF men's soccer team takes on Gonzaga in the 2008 West Coast Conference home finale at Negoesco Stadium Sunday, November 2, the Dons will pay tribute to two who passed away in 2007. Head Coach Erik Visser and the Dons will celebrate the legacy of USF standout player Victor Arbelaez and longtime supporter Rouben Chakalian during a pre-match ceremony.

The pre-game ceremony will feature members of both the Chakalian and Arbelaez families and will take place at approximately 1:45 PM at Negoesco Stadium. There will also be a special post-game reception immediately following the match for all USF Men's Soccer Alumni and friends of the program along with the Chakalian and Arbelaez families. The reception will take place in the Bill Russell Room in Memorial Gym on the USF Campus.

A key member of USF's 1975 NCAA Division I National Championship team, Arbelaez passed away Thursday, October 11, 2007. A two-time All-American at the University of San Francisco, Arbelaez scored eight goals with four assists for 20 points as a senior and scored in the Dons 4-0 shutout of Southern Illinois in the 1975 title match. A four-year letter-winner and a two-time team captain, Arbelaez played professionally for five years with the San Diego Jaws, Las Vegas Quicksilvers, Pittsburgh Spirit, Las Vegas Seagulls and Phoenix Fire.

"Victor was one of the all-time greats of USF Soccer," USF head coach Erik Visser said. "He was a living example of what dedication, commitment and hard work are all about."

On December 2, 2007, USF Athletics lost a great alum and a dedicated member of the USF Men's Soccer family with the passing of Rouben Chakalian. A 1956 graduate of the University of San Francisco. Chakalian served as an officer in the US Army and spent nearly two decades in Europe during a long and distinguished career in international business.

After his retirement, he stayed active as a frequent guest speaker on international business at various universities including USF; he was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus, an American Legionnaire, and was involved in numerous charitable organizations. A fixture at USF sporting events, in particular Dons soccer, Chakalian always supported the Green & Gold on and off the field with passion and pride.