Sergeant Keith Ives leads the CCU men's soccer team in assists-just not the kind you might be thinking of...

The war-torn Al-Anbar province of Iraq is a long way from the lush Colorado soccer field where Marine Corps Sergeant Keith Ives used to spend his time. These days, the Cougar midfielder has traded his navy and gold uniform for desert camouflage, and is now providing logistical support as the ammo chief for Task Force MP. Despite the drastic change of scenery, Ives is right at home doing exactly what he has always done-giving of himself in service to others.

Ives is the antithesis of the stereotypical "me-first" athlete. He placed his dream of playing collegiate soccer on hold, choosing instead to continue his family's tradition of military service. After high school, Ives signed on to the Marine Corps Reserve, and a trip to basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. "My time at Parris Island proved to be a greater challenge than I ever imagined," he commented. "It wasn't the physically grueling activities that tested me; it was the loss of identity that broke me down. But after recruits are brought down to nothing, they are rebuilt with the Marine Corps tradition of honor, courage, and commitment."

Joining CCU men's soccer in the fall of 2004, Ives became known among students and staff for his eagerness to take a leadership role in assisting others. Always the first to open the door, or lend a helping hand, he also volunteered his time on the board for the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) and even competed in cross country events, when the once depleted team was in need of a fifth runner. That spring, he was honored for his service and leadership, with the SAAC 2004 Servant of the Year Award.

Orders that his unit was being deployed to Iraq arrived in the fall of 2005, at the beginning of Ives' sophomore year of college. Despite missing two weeks of classes while taking an Arabic language training course, and numerous other days preparing for mobilization, Ives managed to complete both the soccer season and the semester, in addition to planning his own wedding. Classes ended on December 15 th, he and his wife were married on the 16 th, and Ives departed for Iraq three days later. "Getting married before deploying was a tough, but correct decision. I have pictures of my wife everywhere; they get me through the worst days."

Now stationed in the Al Anbar province, Ives spends his time providing logistical support for his task force. He was recently honored with the Navy Achievement Medal for his outstanding service, and is scheduled to return to CCU to complete a degree in global studies in the spring of 2007. At that time, the Cougar Athletics family will gladly welcome back a stand-out student athlete who stands out for all the right reasons. Although last season's stat sheet does not list a single assist by Sergeant Ives, anyone who knows him would be quick to disagree.