ROLLA, Mo. -- During the early years of the soccer program at Missouri S&T, one of the members of the team was a wing defender named Bob Zdvorak, who played three seasons for the Miners on squads that posted double figure wins in each of those years.

Zdvorak has been a regular at Missouri S&T soccer matches in recent years, as now two of his sons are on the active roster at S&T.  His oldest, David, is a senior for the Miners this season and younger brother, Chris, is in his freshman season as the first second generation players in the S&T men's soccer program.

All three have played roles in the success of the program over the years.  As a defender, Bob helped the defensive unit record 16 shutouts over a three-year span, while David has scored four times in his career, including the only goal in the Miners' first-ever win at Wisconsin-Parkside in September.  Chris, meanwhile, has appeared in over one-half of the Miner contests during his freshman season.

So how did the two sons end up at the same place as their father to play collegiate soccer?

"My dad never put any pressure on me to choose to come to Missouri S&T," David, a civil engineering major, said.  "I asked him if he enjoyed his experience at UMR and he said he did, so I knew it would be worth looking at.  The school's academic reputation, proximity to home, and career opportunities are some of the reasons I came here. 

"I came to Missouri S&T to become an engineer because I wanted to challenge myself and perform at a high level," he added.  "I also came because I thought the quality of soccer was high and matched what I was looking for." 

"Academics and the level of soccer were huge influences on my decision to come to Missouri S&T," Chris, who is also majoring in engineering, said.  "Watching my brother play soccer on the weekends, I knew that the team played at a very high level. My dad never tried to influence me to choose one school over another, he made the decision primarily up to me."

"I knew whatever decision I was to make on college my family would be proud and support me," Chris added.  "Seeing my dad be successful was an indirect way where he influenced my decision. I knew that if I could take care of academics and be successful in the soccer program at Missouri S&T that life would be a lot easier." 

Both of the brothers got started in soccer at age six and worked their way up through the club teams in the Kansas City, Mo., area.   They also had successful high school careers, as David earned all-state honors and finished his prep career at Park Hill High School as its all-time leading goal scorer and Chris landed all-conference and all-district laurels as well as winning three state championships at the club level with the Futura Academy Team.

As both would say, playing in a competitive league like the Great Lakes Valley Conference while trying to meet Missouri S&T's academic demands is a challenge, but will also prepare them well for what's ahead in their post-playing careers.

Being around the GLVC and watching my brother play over the past few years, I have learned there is no easy game in this conference," Chris said.  "Having to focus on academics and soccer has proven to be challenging already but not unmanageable. My teammates offer to help me with classes they have experienced and we have required study hours as freshman that help us stay on track.

"The soccer team is very supportive with your performance on the field as well as in the classroom," he added.

"Every single day is a challenge at this institution.  If you don't play well a few days in practice, you don't feel good because of the pressure you are under by the other guys on the team," David said.  "Tests, grades, and job interviews all follow this pattern.  Playing soccer here at S&T has taught me to live my life under pressure and competition through successes and failures, which I feel will help me in the work force following graduation."

As a student at Missouri S&T, David has been able to take advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates during the 2014 spring semester as part of the university's co-op program.

"I consider this a testament to the school's quality that I was able to network with an alumnus to receive a job offer and an academic scholarship to study as well," he said.  "While in Dubai, I had a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I feel like I still was able to grow my love for the game while training with students from the American University in Dubai. 

" I also am proud of how I stayed in shape while I was away," David added.  "The hardest part, hands down, was being away the team for a semester; however, I would like this not to be viewed as leaving the team, but as a Miner soccer player seizing a fantastic opportunity he created and becoming a better person through it."

Of course, having a father that was part of the program in its infancy means there have been a few stories told over the years, including some of games against schools the Miners compete against today in the GLVC.

"My dad would tell me stories on how he played very hard but would rarely receive yellow cards," Chris said. "He would tell me stories about playing at schools like Rockhurst and other schools our team will be playing this year.  His stories really help me to appreciate the memories I am making right now and want to make for the future."

While Chris still has three seasons to help the Miners achieve a variety of goals, such as winning a conference championship, he also shares a desire with his brother to make the Miner soccer program a success on the field on an annual basis -- just like it was when their father suited up for it.

"I would like to be remembered as someone who positively benefited this program," David said.  "This is why I bring a seriousness and hard work rate every day I show up to Gale Bullman.  I want my teammates and coaches to remember how much I loved this game, and to build lifelong bonds through this.

"With the coaching change after my sophomore year, the process in which the team operated changed slightly, but I want to be seen as someone who helped hold the team together and transition.  I also want to be someone who gave off a positive aura about the Missouri S&T men's soccer program.  That is why I try to be polite, thorough, and spirited everyday.  Lastly, I would like to be remembered as someone who was involved in some exciting play on the field, and some memorable goals, assists, and wins."