A Jersey Blues Testimonial – 2011 Men’s Soccer Graduate Mike Yuhas

2011 Brookdale graduate and former men’s soccer team midfielder Mike Yuhas reflects on his time as a Jersey Blues student-athlete. The discipline, balance, and resilience he mastered helped create his strong work ethic. It assisted him to reach his full potential as a plumbing business owner and a part-time commercial actor.

“Being a student-athlete at Brookdale was a unique and challenging experience that has profoundly shaped my life. Balancing the demands of academics with the rigor of sports required discipline, time management, and resilience at a young age. My schedule consisted of practices, games, travel, and academic responsibilities. Balancing these commitments fostered discipline and contributed to the strong work ethic I have today.

“As a student-athlete at Brookdale, I would face setbacks at times, such as losing a game or healing from an injury. These challenges taught me to be mentally tough and resilient. I learned to cope with failure, stay focused under pressure, and ultimately develop a ‘never give up’ attitude—the experience of training, traveling, and competing together created bonds among my teammates and coaches. Coach Costa and Coach Fraley were a constant source of support on and off the field, checking in and offering guidance whenever needed. I’m grateful for the role Brookdale played in helping me reach my full potential.”