UK Campus Celebrity

As an important member of the team, Josh plays most games. His passion for the sport can really be seen in his dedication to the game, a dedication that led him to play through various injuries including one near his rotator cuff and a fractured foot.
 
“I fractured my foot early in the summer and had to have surgery around mid-July. The first time [I injured my foot] I took a shot and somebody took it right before I did and I got hit with their cleats. The second time was pretty much the same thing, I went to clear a ball and after I struck the ball someone just followed through with their cleat and just stepped right on my foot,” McCrary recalled.
 
Undeterred, he continued to play despite his injuries. “Ibuprofen and cushioning around my foot [help reduce pain while playing], but really I just have to hope that no one kicks it or steps on it again,” said McCrary.
 
Though he sometimes switches to second string because of his injuries, he has still opened the last three games, “[Even with my injuries] I’ve been doing pretty well,” he said. “It’s all about mentality. When we get out there and play [as a unit], we’re a good team.”
 
Though the season just started, Josh is optimistic about how things are going to play out. “Looking at our team, we just have so much talent. If we work together, we’ll do fine. We have a lot of tough teams [we’re playing] coming up soon, but we tend to rise to the competition so if we play our best I think we’ll come out ahead.”
 
            Soccer and school occupy most of Josh’s time. He attends classes all day, and in the evenings goes to practice. Even so he still finds time do have some fun. “Sometimes I’ll head over to Johnson and play basketball with some teammates, just to run around and stay in shape and have some fun with my buddies. I’ve also taken to golf this past summer, it’s pretty fun; just wait to have a free day and relax on the course,” said McCrary.
 
            He also finds time to take in the atmosphere in Lexington: going out with friends and just taking some time to de-stress. “Saturday night I’ll sometimes head to Hugo’s down by the Pavilion. It’s a small place, but I’ll run into a lot of friends and guys from the football team, track team… I’ll go there with my girlfriend and we’ll just dance and have some fun,” said McCrary.
  
            With little free time, Josh still manages to think about the future. Upon graduation, he hopes to continue to play soccer professionally or coach a team himself. He hopes to stay close, so that he can continue to spend time with friends and family, but his passion for the game drives him to seek out ways to keep playing.
 
“[I look up to] anyone who has a passion or enthusiasm for something, [those who] look forward and try and do better in life,” said McCrary. 
 
This outlook leads Josh through life, and drives him toward success. One day, perhaps, when people think of hard work, and of someone who put their all into what they love to do, they’ll think of him.