Graduate student Kellen Gullion has returned to the Hilltop as goalkeeper for SEU men’s soccer. Back in 2019, Gullion played keeper until the program was cut in Spring 2020 and was unlikely to return.

Keeping his eye on the ball, Gullion transferred to Regis University in Denver, Colorado to continue his athletic career. Although the school reminded him of St. Edward’s, and was similar right down to the school’s colors, the snow wasn’t his thing. After figuring out that he didn’t enjoy the cold, he called some of his old SEU teammates to talk through other options. He joined one of his friends at Dallas Baptist University, where he enjoyed the next two years playing soccer under the Texas sun. Like all college students, there is always the question of “what’s next?” For Gullion, there was no doubt that soccer was going to be in that answer.

“I heard the program was getting brought back (to St. Edward’s) so I reached out to B.Y. and we had some good talks,” Gullion said. “I was like ‘I want to help bring the program back.’ I love this place, so it’s good to be a part of it and to hopefully create the same experience for the freshman coming in now.”

Guillon is back on campus, working on his MBA in global business and playing soccer with the newly reinstated team.

“I always knew for some reason I would get taken back to St. Ed’s and I don’t know why but I always had that feeling in my gut like something will take me back here,” Gullion said.

There is something about Austin and St. Edward’s that drew him back. His home, Portland, Orgeon, may have something to do with it.

“It’s a beautiful campus, I feel like being in Austin really resonates with me because being from Portland – Austin is pretty much like Portland in Texas,” Gullion said. 

 The season has been smooth sailing so far for the goalkeeper. The team has 25 freshmen, outnumbering the four graduate players and other undergraduates. The players have  great chemistry and are well connected according to Gullion. They were quickly able to bond and have fun, both on and off the field.

“The location is really nice and it’s just beautiful getting to train and see the main building on one side and downtown on the other,” Gullion said. “It really is so special.”

 Gullion is glad to be back on the Hilltop for both soccer and the rigorous academic reputation of St. Edward’s. Along with the academic advantages, he gets the chance to mentor students that wear the same shoes he wore back in 2019. Gullion and the other graduates try to take care of the freshmen and help them learn along the way. There seems to be a great balance of friendship and mentorship between players.