by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
“I always had a dream to be a pro soccer player,” said Seth Silversmith. “I always watch games that are broadcast on television. I rarely get the chance to go to a game out of state and cheer on my favorite teams. I read up on players how they get the recognition to be in the pro league of soccer. And seeing how much work they put in. I want to be recognized like them so I can be the first Native American from the Navajo Nation to play professional soccer.”
Seth Silversmith is enrolled in the Navajo Nation. His clans are Tł’izí lání, Tsínaajini, Nihoobáanii, and Tódích’íi’nii. His mother is Roxanne Silversmith and father is Myles Silversmith. The family is from Farmington, New Mexico.
“I play soccer and I’m in track and field at Farmington High School in New Mexico,” said Seth. “I am a senior of the class of 2020. From a young athlete of the age five, I played soccer and continue to higher levels.”
“From high school soccer I progressed through the basic steps and the hard work I’ve had to put in for myself to have a starting position, and a number on my back. I built up a good relationship with my team and kept my head up when the team and I had a hard time. I worked really hard to be the greatest and I accomplished to be put on as a starter varsity soccer player. I played soccer out of high school range, such as Rio Rapids Durango Team. I’m recognized as a Most Valuable Player in club soccer. I love the game and sport as much I love my own family,” added Seth.
“As a Native American student-athlete, I define myself from the Navajo Nation,” said Seth. “That includes being passionate, and demonstrating strength, pride, and heart. I am very passionate with soccer and school because I pursue it as a learning habit and a job. I have strength to ignore the hurtful, hateful comments and jealousy from other team’s and people. I have pride to be proud that I’m a Native American student-athlete playing soccer and being a 2020 Grad. I have heart for my family, soccer, and school that keeps me going with every step of the way.”
“The most influenced individual’s who kept me in my mindset is my Grandfather Erickson Benally and my father Myles Silversmith,” said Seth.” These two individuals kept me in the right mindset of being the hard working athlete to have big dreams. My Grandfather helped me stay in shape and getting me into club soccer, tournaments, camps, college try-outs, and ID camps. He put a lot of effort to get me out there to work and play my game for the college coaches to pick me up or be seen.”
“My father put me into working conditions such as training,” said Seth. “He put his time and effort to help me stay fit and work with my skills and have me do the workouts on a daily base. He also gives me wise lectures that I need to know to have faith and motivation.”
“The first time he stepped on the pitch at a very young age he loved the game,” said grandpa Erickson Benally. “During his high school years he experienced some unfair treatment from coaches and teammates. I asked him what he wanted to do. He looked straight into my eyes and said, ‘I don’t care how they treat me pappa, I love the game, I want to play’. So we took it upon ourselves to find a way to give our son a chance to learn the game properly. I asked my co-worker Ray Santillanes to help my grandson. Ray has a level-D New Mexico State license through United States Soccer Federation.”
“Along with other high school soccer players from the area, Mr. Santillanes taught them technical skills, one touch technique, passing dribbling, moving, pressure cover balance, organizational skills, understanding and reading the game. The following year my co-worker organized a team for club soccer in our region, and Seth was the first to sign up. Seth was assigned to a club team 40 miles away from home. The Durango Rapids Soccer Club team welcomed him with open arms. The coaches and teammates treated him with dignity and respect, and they shared their knowledge of the game,” added Erickson.
“Seth and his mom drove in wintery weather conditions 80 miles twice a week and 260 miles for games on the weekends in Albuquerque, NM,” said Erickson. “Seth took every opportunity to learn the basic techniques and the finer points of playing on the pitch. The Durango Rapids team and coaches voted him the MVP for his age group. Through the soccer club, Seth was invited and participated in ID camps in Albuquerque, NM and Phoenix, AZ. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic his opportunity to showcase his talents has been put on hold. He is currently looking to continue his education and an opportunity to play at the next level.”
The holistic concept of wellness is based on physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health. To be able to balance the four components may lead the student-athlete on a path toward optimum performance.
“I get physical prepared for anything that comes my way,” said Seth. “As the objects that are bad I keep away and the good brings the outstanding role of being a good student-athlete.”
“I get mentally prepared by not having too much confidence, but play the game to have fun with focus,” said Seth. “I may mess up on a drill, but I keep practicing it before the big game. I also work on my drills on and off the field with close spaces to build up my dribbling skills.”
“I connect with the Lord and pray to protect myself from harms way,” said Seth. “Have him in my heart to keep my body strong and not getting physically injured on the field and out. I also connect to my thoughts of having positivity and having that goal to win a game.”
“When it comes to a downfall game, I have that positive to bring my team back up together,” said Seth. “We have group discussion to see what we need to work on together. Then in my own situation, I take short breaths and have a positive attitude. I think about the good sportsmanship, if I get a bad call or good call from the players and the referees.”
“Living in this pandemic world has brought many changes to my environment,” said Seth. “Gives me time to think what I can do to progress on self-control and self-esteem. It brings a good lesson to be safe and not sorry and I attend to keep myself occupied like working out and watching my meal plans while I stay quarantined in my home and room. Being an athlete is hard in most cases, because you have temptations to drink a soda, or eat junk food as you want without anyone stopping you. This creates a daily routine to keep myself making healthy meal’s to stay in shape.”
