Sept. 24, 2003

By Mike Sheridan, VU Media Relations

Three years removed from his arrival at Villanova, Chris Edgar can see it now.

Peering backwards, he recalls a young man not shy about asserting himself.

"I was really cocky when I got here," says the Villanova junior who anchors the defense for the 3-4-1 Wildcats in 2003. "I wanted to be the jokester and I was pretty immature."

The perspective of 36 months, two serious ankle injuries, a semester in Italy, and a leadership role at a critical position have offered Edgar the kind of lesson only experience can.

Fast forward to a van headed in the direction of Drexel University for Villanova's season opener on Aug. 29. With his mind aimed at the upcoming Philadelphia Soccer Seven match, Edgar is all business. As he looks at a few of his young teammates, Edgar turns to head coach Larry Sullivan.

"He wondered why they weren't working to become emotionally ready to play," Sullivan says.

Sullivan said nothing.

"I just stared at him and smiled," said Sullivan.

Edgar soon chuckled at himself.

"It takes time," Sullivan told Edgar afterward.

"Yeah, coach," Edgar said with a grin, "it does."

Of course, adapting to new surroundings is something of an Edgar trademark. Over the course of his 22 years, his family - which includes his parents and two brothers - has made four major moves from one part of the United States to another. The journey has taken the family from Ohio to Texas to northern New Jersey and, presently, to Las Vegas.

Edgar's introduction to soccer came early. He was three years old when he first kicked a ball in a competitive match. However, an early start did not guarantee success, especially in the beginning.

"Mostly," he says now, "I remember not being very good."

It wasn't until his family relocated from the Cincinnati area to Plano, Tex., that Edgar began to immerse himself in the sport.

"It was a different atmosphere than I was used to," states Edgar. "In Texas you could play all year round and learn the game."

Edgar prospered on the club circuit but by the time he was a sophomore in high school, his family was on the go again. This time the destination was northern New Jersey in one of the many bedroom communities which surround New York City. At Don Bosco Prep in Mahwah - just across the New York State border - Edgar settled in as a defender and began making a name for himself. Sullivan spotted him at a prep all-star game and instantly took a liking to him.

"They played him at right back," states Sullivan, "and I was really impressed with his athleticism."

Soon Sullivan was in contact, suggesting that Edgar consider Villanova. The appeal hit home, especially when Edgar's father, Randy, reinforced with his son the academic side of the equation.

"My Dad just reminded me that the value of an education went far beyond any other consideration and you couldn't beat the kind of education you get at Villanova," Edgar stated.

When he trotted on to the West campus soccer complex in August 2000, Edgar wasn't sure quite what to expect. The Wildcats were coming off a tough season in 1999 and Sullivan was liberally experimenting with his roster. The good news for Edgar and incoming freshmen Dan Massimini, Scott Rodemer and Colin Raws was that they could play right away. The bad news was that their youthful mistakes would be on display for all in the rugged Big East to witness.

In a season opening 3-2 win at Saint Joseph's, Edgar suffered a left ankle injury. The injury forced him out of the lineup for two weeks and even when he returned, he wasn't at full strength. Complicating matters was that, after a career spent mostly on defense, Edgar was pressed into service in the midfield.

"It took some getting used to," states Edgar. "Center midfield is a spot where speed is very important and that was something I didn't have a lot of at that point."

But Sullivan saw in Edgar a possible offensive catalyst for a unit in need of one. And, despite missing six games, Edgar wound up leading Villanova in scoring in 2000 with four goals and two assists.

"I was just happy to do well," Edgar states.

With much to look forward to, Edgar was in the midfield again when he opened the 2001 season at Notre Dame. However, cruel fortune again struck Edgar. This time he suffered an injury to his left ankle, a fracture that forced him to the sidelines for the remainder of the campaign as he accepted a medical redshirt. Edgar was a forlorn figure for the balance of that season, as he watched his friends from the stands.

"It's the worst," says Edgar of the inactivity. "I just got so frustrated."

When he resumed his soccer career in 2002, Edgar again found himself at a new spot. This time, he was at forward as Sullivan looked to capitalize on his size and penchant for finishing. The switch did give Villanova a badly needed scoring option (Edgar finished with three goals and seven points) yet Edgar never really seemed at home up front.

"When he didn't score," Sullivan says, "he tended to get down on himself for not doing his job. On defense he feels more comfortable and when he prevents goals it just adds to his confidence."

In part, Edgar returned to his roots for the same reason he originally left - to help the team fill a hole. The loss of Stephen Leaman to graduation following the 2002 season created a void of size and leadership that Edgar and sophomore Patrick Gallagher have helped to offset.

"A lot of big guys don't work well together," Sullivan says. "But they do."

Following the fall semester in 2002, Edgar approached Sullivan about spending a semester abroad. Although it would cut into Edgar's training time with his teammates in the spring, Sullivan consented.

"I just thought it would do him a lot of good to be out on his own," says the Wildcats head coach.

Edgar studied in Rome in the spring of 2003.

"I learned a new language and a lot about myself," he says. "I came back with a different attitude."

Though those lessons came far from the soccer field, they have helped him on it. Edgar is now a respected veteran on a young team in the middle of a defense that has allowed three goals in its last four outings.

"He's not always beautiful," says Sullivan, "but he is always effective."

Edgar won't shy from contact and uses his 6-2 frame to great advantage on headers. He seldom buckles under pressure with the ball and knows how to find an escape hatch when trouble arrives at his doorstep.

"He likes to be aggressive but sometimes he does that out of impatience," explains Sullivan. "The more patient he is - and he is much more patient now than he was earlier in his career - the better off he will be."

With the season nearly at its midpoint, Edgar sees progress. And he also realizes that time, always in seemingly abundant supply, is fast slipping away. His original classmates will graduate in the spring and only he will remain in 2004, courtesy of that red-shirt season. In his view, there is no time like the present to step forward.

"I see what we can become," Edgar states. "We have some good young players on the team and we've had our ups and downs. If we keep working, there are still lots of good things that can happen."

If he sounds like a wise old hand now, so be it.

"I think I've matured a lot," he says. "I feel like I'm friends now with every guy on this team and that wasn't true when I first got here. If you are going to have success, you have to understand there are times to joke around and times to be serious."

This hasn't been a total about face, of course. A quick quip is still part of Edgar's repertoire. Only now, he appreciates that silence has its value too.

"He's always been a good kid," says Sullivan. "He was never mean or selfish, just a little immature emotionally. And we have had our battles.

"But he's grown up now."

And enjoying the view.