ROANOKE MEN'S SOCCER ALUMNI QUESTION & ANSWER
JEFF ARCHER '69
Where are you originally from?
Hightstown, N.J.
Why did you choose to attend Roanoke College?
Coach Moson invited me for a visit during my senior year of high school. On campus, he showed me the facilities, introduced me to several members of the soccer team and several coeds. My first introduction to college life and I was sold on RC.
Where are you now/what are you doing?
I currently live in Haymarket, Va. with my wife Julie and two bernese mountain dogs-Olivia & Guinness. I am retired from ExxonMobil and enjoying myself immensely.
Last time you touched a soccer ball/where?
Attending one of my granddaughter's soccer games in Richmond, I fooled around with one a bit. The feeling and love for the game never goes away.
Highlight/favorite soccer memory from your time at Roanoke?
A lot of fond memories, but a couple games stand out. We beat Duke 2-1 my sophomore year for Roanoke's homecoming; We beat the University of Baltimore 2-1 (I think my sophomore year) and they were an outstanding team that always kicked our butts in Baltimore. An outstanding defensive effort and Jeff Willis was unbelievable in goal. Always enjoyed beating the big schools, we had a lot of success against both UVA & Virginia Tech.
When is the last time you were back on campus? Do you get back often?
I had the pleasure of spending a couple hours with Scott Allison and watching a game about 4-5 years ago. The campus was magnificent and the stadium was excellent, would have loved to have had those facilities in the late 1960s.
Favorite non-soccer memory from your time at Roanoke?
I was a small town kid from central N.J. and not very "worldly". I met and got to know people from varying locales, cultures and economic standings and it was both challenging and rewarding. It was great preparation, both socially and academically, for later life. I really enjoyed my independence and being responsible for myself and it was a great learning experience-both the ups and the downs.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Despite some earlier setbacks, I currently enjoy a fairly good healthy and active life. I play softball, still walk eighteen holes and enjoy being outdoors and moving about. I hope to maintain this lifestyle for the foreseeable future.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
Modesty limits me here, but I am extremely proud of my son and how he lives his life and my wife and granddaughters make me joyously happy. Life is good.
What advice do you have for the current Maroons about life after college?
My advice to all students would be to stay out of your comfort zone. Take the class you are unsure about, try the activity you haven't done before, interact with the person you are not familiar with or that seems different. What you experience will be valuable to you in later life. For the soccer players-it has been over 50 years since I played, but I can still remember individual games and individual plays. So make sure your future memories are ones of 100% effort, fair play, and good sportsmanship.
