Some kids might rest on their laurels, knowing they’re going to play for their father.
Gavin Dunlop did the exact opposite.
Dunlop is a rising senior at Father Judge High School and the name is well known through the Crusader community. His father, John, is the school’s longtime soccer coach as well as a business teacher at the school.
The younger Dunlop had dreams of taking the field, playing for his dad. But when he was younger, he realized he wasn’t ready for the Catholic League.
So he got ready.
“When I was younger, I was a bigger player, I wasn’t in the best shape,” Dunlop admits. “It was hard for me to beat players one on one. My dad kind of taught me how to be more of a composed player. You don’t have to be a fast soccer player to be a good player. I had to learn, I knew what I could do and couldn’t do.
“As I got older, I got in shape. I would go to the gym. For the most part, when I was younger, it was all cardio. I knew I had to get in better shape. Then after I got to high school, I was more fit, but I needed to add muscle so I started hitting the weight room to get bigger and stronger. I had to work to be ready.”
He worked his butt off, literally, and turned himself into not only a competent soccer player, but one the Crusaders have been leaning on as a starter at center defensive midfield since his sophomore year.
And since he became a starter, he’s been one of the better players in the Catholic League, and the Crusaders have been arguably the best team in the league.
Judge has been incredibly consistent, including making the Catholic League championship three years in a row. And while his dad has won a championship, Gavin hasn’t had the pleasure of doing so yet.
Luckily, there’s still time.
“Judge is always different, I’ve been watching since I was very young, and I always wanted to play in a Judge uniform,” Dunlop said. “I was a swing (between JV and varsity) as a freshman, didn’t get a lot of starting minutes, sophomore and junior year, I was a starter.”
First, Dunlop worked to get on the field.
Then he worked to stay there.
Now, headed into his final year of high school, Dunlop wants to make his last year playing for the Crusaders a memorable one.
“I can’t put it into words how proud of the team and my dad I am,” Dunlop said. “Keeping his legacy going and winning a lot of games. It’s unfortunate we haven’t won that big game, but it shows how good of a team we are. We’re not a team that likes to lose. We’ve been good and consistent. I’m really proud of how we’ve played.”
But he would love to win a PCL championship.
His dad has. He’s also won a state championship.
While the younger Dunlop didn’t have a jersey, he was as much a part of that team as anyone, and he was front and center in 2009 when Judge earned those plaques and trophies.
“For as long as I can remember, I wanted to play for Judge,” Dunlop said. “I was there when they won it. It was crazy. Seeing my dad, he was so happy. I remember I was right next to him when they poured the water jug on him. I didn’t know why it was happening, but to see him so happy and proud, it made me want to be in a Judge uniform.”
He now knows exactly why dad loves Judge so much.
And he feels the same way.
“Just like the brotherhood makes it special, we all like each other, we’re excited to go to practice,” Dunlop said. “Some kids might not want to when it’s hot, but we do. We do it together, even the JV squad, we play with them. It’s more than just soccer at that point, we’re playing with our friends and having fun. I love everything about it.”
That’s not the only way he’s like dad.
He also wants to follow in his footsteps beyond soccer, which he also wants to play at the college level.
“I want to study something like business, in that realm,” said Dunlop, who is also interesting in coaching like his dad. “My dad teaches business, but I’m not allowed to have him. The other business teacher is a great guy, he’s friends with my dad.
“My dad always talks to me about business-related things, saving up money, investing, all the important stuff. I find it more interesting than other majors that are possible.”
While dad is his soccer hero, he has another one. That’s mom.
“She never played, but she loves me telling her about the game and loves to come to the game to watch her husband and son at the same time,” Dunlop said. “That’s something me and my dad bond over, so she loves to see us talk back and forth about soccer even if she doesn’t understand it.
“She helps me a lot, my dad is on the soccer side, but my mom will be there after games to help me, calm down my emotions, talk to her about how I felt, things like that. All on the emotional side, not on the ball with my dad. And my diet, too, she’s a great cook.”
While mom keeps him fed, he’s now hungry for that PCL trophy.
“I just want to get it after getting so close,” said Dunlop, who will be one of the team’s captains this year. “I want it for the school, my teammates and my dad. Everyone has worked hard and we have another chance. That’s all we need.”
