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henry lopez contreras

Henry Lopez-Contreras

  • Class
    1968
  • Honors
    Men's Soccer (1965-1966)
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
Career Highlights: Two-year letter winner for Men's Soccer; Member of the 1966 National Championship Team

Biography: Lopez-Contreras played soccer under legendary Coach Steve Negoesco and was a key member of the 1966 national championship squad. He ranked third in scoring for the 12-0-1 Dons. Contreras-Lopez helped lead the Dons to the West Coast Intercollegiate Soccer Conference championship in 1965 and he topped the team with 13 goals scored. He also played for the San Francisco Amateur and Latin All-Star Teams.

Why Lopez-Contreras Chose USF: "My family treasured Jesuit Education, and all my brothers, five of them, and cousins all attended Jesuit schools. Jesuit education provides an overall excellence, and as a student at St. Ignatius High School in Venezuela I desired to continue my education with the Jesuits. I believe my Jesuit education prepared me to be a useful citizen."

Favorite USF Memories: "My college years were the best years of my life. The soccer team became my family and coach Steve Negoesco was an inspirational leader on and off the field. Two of my brothers Fernando and Manuel also played on the soccer team. We learned to play the game in Venezuela where our father Fernando, a true soccer nut, taught us our first lessons. He was named Consul General of San Francisco in 1957 and until 1968 I lived in San Francisco and attended Washington and St. Ignatius and Washington High schools and then USF."

The USF Student-Athlete Experience: "The pride of representing with honor a great university and the bonding with your teammates that last for a lifetime. Being a student is the best preparation for life. The environment at USF was conducive to develop your social skills, making excellent friends, becoming useful citizens and excellent professionals."

Life After USF: After he earned his degree at USF, Lopez-Contreras attended Virginia Tech and received a Masters Degree in Education, and then earned a PhD in Spanish at UC Santa Barbara. He worked as a faculty member and administrator reaching full-Professorship and the College Presidency at Simon Bolivar University in Caracas, Venezuela. He is now retired as a Full Emeritus Professor, and has been active in the Rotary Club. Lopez-Contreras has authored six books and resides in Turlock, California. 
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