Interview by Kimberly Davis Guerra
Houston Family Magazine recently caught up with Dynamo Dads, AJ DeLaGarza and Boniek Garcia to discuss how they feel about kids & sports. As a dad, we wanted to know what advice they plan on dishing out to their kids about playing sports, what they look for in a coach and why they feel it is so important for kids to be active.
AJ DeLaGarza Bio:
Age 31, Married his high school sweetheart Megan, with 2 daughters.
Born: Baltimore, Maryland
Position: Defender for Houston Dynamo; debuted March 4, 2017
WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD/WILL GIVE YOUR KIDS REGARDING PLAYING SPORTS?
“Absolutely enjoy what you do every single day for you to play at your best. Sometimes we find ourselves not playing well and get down on yourself and you lose that joy you had as a kid playing the game. So you need to enjoy it or we will find something else.”
WHAT IS YOUR TOP PLAYING HIGHLIGHT?
“I think winning the MLS cup in 2014. I always mention that year because of all of the things I was going through with my son. He passed away in September of that year and coming back after that to win the MLS Cup was an accomplishment.”
DeLaGarza’s son Luca died on September 4, 2014, only a week after being born. Luca suffered from Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare heart defect. In his son’s memory DeLaGarza and his family started the Luca Knows Heart foundation to help other people who have the condition.
WHAT WOULD/WILL CHARACTERISTICS YOU LOOK FOR IN A COACH FOR YOUR CHILD(REN)?
“My daughter, who’s 3, is getting ready to start playing soccer. The teams motto is to have fun. At 3 years old, it’s not about winning or losing. But, eventually, we will look for a coach that knows the game and keeps it fun for the kids.”
HAS BECOMING A DAD CHANGED THE WAY YOU PLAY?
“I’m getting older, that’s what that means. I’m playing for their future. They enjoy watching me play and I enjoy having them watch me play.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK SPORTS OFFERS CHILDREN?
“It offers a lot. Major part is being outside, getting fit, decision making, playing, being able to read situations and having fun!”
Boniek Garcia Bio:
Age 34, Married to Ivania Reyes with a daughter and twin sons.
Born: Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Position: MidFielder for Houston Dynamo; signed June 7, 2012
WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD/WILL GIVE YOUR KIDS REGARDING PLAYING SPORTS?
“Well, due to their age, first and foremost that they enjoy and have fun playing it as much as they can at their age.”
WHAT IS YOUR TOP PLAYING HIGHLIGHT?
“Professionally? I have so many! But without a doubt, I’d have to say it was playing for the World Cup. Being able to play my first game against France was something very special to me.”
WHAT WOULD/WILL CHARACTERISTICS YOU LOOK FOR IN A COACH FOR YOUR CHILD(REN)?
“A coach that fills my children with ideas, that gives them the mentality that they are triumphant and that they’ll go far, and that the coach challenges them [tests their limits] so that they can learn to challenge themselves.”
HAS BECOMING A DAD CHANGED THE WAY YOU PLAY?
“Truthfully, yes [laughs] it helped me become a more responsible player on the field because I want to set a good example for my kids both on and off the field.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK SPORTS OFFERS CHILDREN?
“I think that it keeps them away from any bad influences, predominantly drugs. I believe that sports play a very important part in a child’s life.”
For more on AJ DeLaGarza, Boniek Garcia or to check out the Houston Dynamo schedule, visit www.HoustonDynamo.com. Regular season games run through Oct. 6, 2019.
