University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) men’s soccer player Rhys Wallace has been selected as the Male Spotlight Athlete for the month of August.
Wallace was named to the All-Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Second Team in 2017, becoming the first player in program history to receive second-team all-conference honors since UIS became a Division II institution. The senior from Kilmarnock, Scotland tallied 10 points off four goals and two assists. Wallace contributed two game-winning goals, converting penalty kicks in 1-0 victories against William Jewell College and during the regular-season matchup against Lewis University.
UIS put together an 8-8-1 overall record and an 8-5-1 record in GLVC play, setting UIS Division II records in wins and conference wins. The Prairie Stars earned a best-ever sixth-place finish in the GLVC standings and clinched their first-ever GLVC Tournament berth. UIS earned the program's first-ever regional ranking, peaking at No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA Division II Midwest Regional poll.
The Prairie Stars kick off the regular season in a home match on Aug. 30 against Ohio Valley University at 7:30 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium. Ohio Valley closed out last season ranked No. 8 in the United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA Division II poll.
GETTING TO KNOW RHYS WALLACE
Who is your favorite professional athlete?
Lionel Messi
What is your favorite movie?
Wolf of Wall Street
What is the strangest nickname you have?
I have had a few nicknames throughout the years. When I was younger I got called Rocket by my teammates in my football team and also Ginge Fezz which is a long story.
Who is your favorite band/artist?
The Courteeners / Gerry Cinnamon
Which is your favorite season?
Summer, even though Scotland doesn’t get much sun.
What is your favorite sports team?
I support my local team, Kilmarnock FC, and I am a fan of Liverpool FC.
List three words that describe yourself.
Ambitious, Fiery and Quirky.
What is your favorite quote?
“Here for a good time, not a long time”
If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?
Probably a monkey.
What is your favorite TV show?
Still Game, which is a Scottish TV show.
What is your major and minor?
Major – Sociology, Minor – Anthropology
Who is your inspiration?
It is a bit cliché but my mum and dad. It amazes me to hear where they once came from to where they are now and how motivated they are to constantly succeed at everything they do.
What is your favorite memory at UIS?
Beating Drury in our first home game last season.
List a little-known, but amazing fact about yourself.
I have represented my country in two different sports. Ice hockey at under-13s and soccer at under-18s.
Why did you choose UIS?
I chose UIS because I like the campus and the area of Springfield as a whole. I also believe UIS is a place where I can develop and improve as a soccer player.
What is your favorite class?
Law ethics and morality because it is more about thoughts and opinions rather than a right or wrong answer.
Who is your favorite professor?
Professor Fisher. I never thought I would be interested in Anthropology however I felt Professor Fisher’s classes were very interactive which helped keep me engaged and she had a very likable personality.
