Sports

Shaun Elbaum follows family's soccer tradition

By Jeremy Johnson
jjohn308@mscd.edu

The Elbaum family knows a thing or two about soccer. Ask any of the five Elbaum men when they started playing, and you will get the same answer: from 3- to 4-years-old and on. In other words, from about the time they could run.

The elder Elbaum, Gary, is a baker now and was a car mechanic for 35 years. Before that-in the 1960s and '70s-he was a semi-pro player for the Denver Kickers, an amateur team based out of Golden. After that, Gary went on to play for the short-lived Colorado Caribous. He recently retired from the game at the young age of 50.

Now, it's a new generation of Elbaums dominating Colorado soccer fields. Of the Elbaums' five sons-all of whom played soccer from a very young age-it's the two youngest brothers who are leaving their cleat-marks on grass and shins alike.

"Soccer is a family sport," Christina, the family matriarch, said. "My husband played soccer and I thought that would keep them off the street and keep them busy, healthy and wholesome."

It also keeps them in the limelight. Josh, 24, is a defensive back for the Colorado Rapids. The former Oregon State and Metro student showed up for open tryouts with the Rapids at the beginning of the season and the rest is Elbaum history.

"I did my best and caught the coach's eye," Josh said. "I was one of three guys called back."

A natural left midfielder, Josh quickly learned the role of being on a professional team. He now plays left fullback.

Shaun, 21, is a little taller than his older brother, but the likeness between the two is undeniable. Both brothers are Leos. Josh's birthday is on Aug. 19 and Shaun's is two days later.

Shaun is a sophomore student of anthropology at Metro, and is arguably the most valuable player on the men's soccer team. In fact, Elbaum scored the winning goals in the 'Runners two games this past weekend.

Shaun is quick to credit his whole family for his soccer prowess, but Josh may well be his biggest influence.

"(Josh) has been around ever since I can remember," Shaun said with a blush and a smile. "Us two battled it out since we were little, playing everything from soccer to video games to cards."

Even when they're off the field, they still battle it out on the soccer field, playing FIFA 2005 on their PlayStation 2.

"Growing up, we did everything from ping-pong to badminton to bowling," Josh said. "It's pretty competitive and that's the way we like it. Any type of activity or sport, you just wanted to get your foot into the door and do the best."

That was hard to do for the younger Elbaums, who competed with three older brothers. But where the older brothers gave the game up after some years, Josh and Shaun have found great success.

"We're not pushing them to play," Christina said. "I think the two youngest ones (Josh and Shaun) have, you know, a little bit more of a heart for soccer."

They also have a heart for competition. When asked who is the better soccer player, both made points in their own favor. "I'd have to say myself," Shaun said with a laugh. "He definitely works harder, but he's a defensive back. I put balls in the back of the net."

Josh, on the other hand, is still the professional; though he can see Shaun having a future in soccer, as well.

"It starts here," Josh said in response to the possibility of another Elbaum going pro. "I told him what he's got to do in college. He needs to make a name for himself.

"He's doing well and he has a natural tendency, like most forwards do, to find the goal," Josh added.

Shaun is studying anthropology so that he might have a job in forensics and watches the popular "Forensic Files" on the Arts and Entertainment channel. That does not mean he has not considered other options.

"Obviously, I'd love to play soccer professionally and get paid to do what I love," Shaun said. At the rate he is going, he may do just that.

Josh said that if he could do anything else for a living he'd be a bartender. I was once a bartender. He should stick with soccer.

All in all, it seems the Elbaums' love of soccer knows no bounds.

"It's just unbelievable how they love the sport," Christina said, proudly. "Because their heart is into it and that is what they want to do, then let them go for it."