To most of Binghamton University, Darren McAllister is just a soccer player from Scotland. He may be recognized by his thick accent or lucky number seven on the back of his jersey. McAllister, who prefers to go by Daz, the Scottish nickname for Darren, is more than just a soccer player, though; he is a caring individual that wants to help mold today’s youth into better people.
Before coming to the United States two years ago, McAllister was working full time coaching youth soccer and playing in the Highland League, a semi-pro men’s league in Scotland. Although it payed the bills, McAllister described coaching as a “dead-end job.”
He loved playing soccer, but always wanted to teach, and not sports. This past summer, McAllister had the opportunity to teach kids in the United States. While spending the summer living in Brooklyn with teammate and back-up goalkeeper David Grad and his family, McAllister taught at a English Premier Leacamp in Harlem.
“I loved it,” McAllister said. “The kids were a handful … Despite [the fact that] they were 11 or 12, they had strong attitudes and their language was crazy, but they really liked me. I let them get away with things other teachers didn’t. They were awesome. I really think they taught me as much as I taught them.”
McAllister, who is set to graduate this December, will be leaving with a degree in English. The degree was a major factor in McAllister’s decision to leave his home in Scotland and come to school in America.
“The lure of playing [soccer] every day, full time, and getting a degree at the same time was just a great opportunity,” McAllister said.
He was shown this opportunity by Binghamton University assistant coach John Scott. Scott tried recruiting McAllister to play for the Bearcats two years ago, but McAllister was not sure that he wanted to come and play. By the time he realized the type of opportunity being presented to him, it was too late to make the Bearcats roster and McAllister spent a year playing at Virginia Intermont College. McAllister loves playing at the Bearcats Sports Complex.
“I love playing at home,” he said. “You come out and you know that right away the fans will be behind you.”
This kind of joy was brought to McAllister even while he was playing semi-pro soccer in Scotland.
“The culture there makes the game totally different, the referees are not as strict and it is just much more aggressive.”
Although the league is more hands on, McAllister learned a lot from its players, especially since some played in the English first and second divisions. Some were even part of the English Premier League.
The aggressive nature of the league fits McAllister’s attitude perfectly. McAllister, who says he gets his temper from his father, plays with a lot of passion. Teammate and roommate Christopher Terry says that McAllister “is passionate about every aspect of his life.” Although the passion can be conceived as negative sometimes, as McAllister was forced to sit out the last regular season game against Maine due to yellow card accumulation, much of it is beneficial to the team. With that passion comes an extremely competitive spirit that McAllister would never apologize for.
“If you haven’t got a competitive spirit, if you’re not willing to fight for every ball, hound your teammates … you’re not gonna win,” McAllister said.
McAllister sees this same spirit in freshman Ryan Walter, and he loves it. His competitive spirit is one of the qualities that head coach Paul Marco says is McAllister’s best, not to mention his great ability to serve a ball. Marco added that McAllister’s energy and commitment are what it takes to play in championship games.
With his passion also comes a surplus of compassion. Recently, McAllister’s older brother passed away from cancer. He went home to be with his family and console his niece and nephew. He has spoken to the kids almost every day since his passing, but says his brother’s death has led him to realize how lucky he is. McAllister’s first game back after coming home from Scotland was against Hartwick; he lasted only 20 minutes.
“It was a bad idea to play against Hartwick,” McAllister said. “I told coach I was good to play, [and] I found out that night I really wasn’t ready. I should have realized I needed a couple of days to get my head back.”
About a month after the Hartwick game, McAllister found himself serving up the assist for the winning goal against Vermont. McAllister describes that game as his favorite moment at Binghamton.
“It’s truly special to play in front of a crowd like that,” he said.
His compassion also comes through in being a great friend. Terry said that he considered himself extremely fortunate to have been able to form a friendship with McAllister. Marco, who is in a different position than the players, also sees McAllister’s ability to relate to his teammates. Marco says that he has heard players describe McAllister as an older brother. McAllister says that as the oldest person on the team, he always has something to say, whether his teammates want to hear it or not. He feels it to be his responsibility to be there with a joke, keep somebody in line or throw an arm around a shoulder. Senior Brendan McGovern said that when he thinks of McAllister, he thinks of how much he really cares for his teammates.
His character undoubtedly comes from his parents, who he describes as his biggest influence by “a million miles.” They used to go to every game of his in Scotland, visited him once in the United States and are planning on going to his graduation. McAllister added that Grad’s family members were the best hosts he could have asked for this summer.
McAllister graduates this December, but his passion and friendship will leave marks on those he came in contact with for years to come.
As for playing in the America East tournament, McAllister expressed that he is more than ready.
“I would be happy to put money on myself.”