Student-Athlete Spotlight: Norman Ramos

EAST PEORIA — While growing up amidst the violence in El Paso, Texas, Norman Ramos has overcome the obstacles it has taken to get where he is now on the mens soccer team here at Illinois Central College.

Ramos, 19, was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. His parents are from Mexico and he is the middle child of three boys. El Paso, Texas, being one of the bordering towns of Mexico, has seen a great deal of violence including murders, robberies and many other acts of violence in the last couple of years.

“It was kind of rough with all the violence,” Ramos said about growing up in big city near the border of Mexico. “Soccer kept me focused and out of trouble.”

Ramos saw significant playing time last year at right back and coach Oz Bakirdan expects to get significant playing time from him again this year. There are only four returning sophomores from the team who saw the field last year.

“Norman is a leader on the field, 100 percent all out all the time,” said coach Bakirdan about Ramos’ play on and actions off the field. “He is one of our guys that leads by example and has the potential to play at high level Division I.”

Ramos worked out over the summer even when he went home over summer vacation.

“I don’t believe in offseason, I was getting ready mentally and physically at home,” said Ramos about what he did to get ready for the new season.

Ramos also doesn’t believe in setting personal goals but more team based goals first.

“As a team I want to make nationals and the finals,” said Ramos. “I don’t really set individual goals, I have won awards in the past.”

In his free time he likes going out to the gym and working out.

Ramos is currently undecided on his major, but is leaning towards Criminal Justice. He hasn’t decided where he is going to go to further his collegiate career and schooling.

“By them moving on we lost a lot of players, they may be able to open some doors for us guys,” said Ramos about the possibility that the six players from last year’s’ team would move on to other schools.

In a message to kids he said: “Don’t give up, just don’t give up in soccer or anything.”