Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

When Kevin East took over the men’s soccer program at Rutgers-Newark three years ago, one of the first players he recruited was Rob Campos, who was a standout performer at East Brunswick High School. 

“Rob was one of the first ones I recruited to change the program around,” East said. “I thought having someone like him would help change the culture. I wanted him to be one of the guys who could make us a winning program. I wanted him to become one of the pioneers.” 

“I didn’t talk to Coach East before he came to talk to me,” Campos said. “When he came to meet me, I thought it was such an honor that such a knowledgeable coach would want me. I was very interested.” 

Now, after Campos has completed two successful seasons with the Scarlet Raiders, East is looking for Campos to be a leader and scoring force as the 2009 season begins this week. 

“Rob has a great attitude and he really wants to win more than anything,” East said. “That’s important. He’s a leader who puts in the effort and never takes a day off.” 

Campos knows that his role with the Scarlet Raiders will increase considerably this season. 

“I think it’s a bigger role than the last two years, because we have a lot of freshmen and we have others that now look up to me,” Campos said. “I think we’ve all been a lot more serious this year, because we know we have a good team. We’re a lot more prepared this year and we know that this is our year to get into the NJAC playoffs and play with the best teams in the league.” 

If the Scarlet Raiders are to do just that, they will need more of the offensive production that Campos has provided over the first two years. He’s already ranked sixth on the school’s all-time assist list with 13 and ninth all-time in total points with 33. 

Last year, Campos scored five goals, but more importantly, added 10 assists, tying the R-N single season assist mark, first set by Wilson Cusano back in 1989. What makes the record remarkable is that Campos is a forward. 

So instead of being an offensive-minded player who thinks shot first, Campos is a unique forward who is thinking about creating chances for his teammates more than himself. 

“I feel sometimes like I don’t have the best chance to shoot, so I look to see where we can score, as opposed to where I can score,” Campos said. “I have good chemistry with the other guys on the team. I feel like I’m in sync with the whole game. I like to find the others and give passes to the others.” 

“Rob has a lot of speed and is able to attract defenders to him,” East said. “It gives him the means to find open men. He did a great job last year and it makes us more productive, getting others involved. It’s been like an evolution for him. It shows the growth of his game. He’s taken it to another level.” 

Campos said that he believes his passing skills come from playing midfield for two different club teams in Wayne and East Brunswick.
“I think that’s really helped me a lot,” Campos said. 

But Campos knows that his goal total should improve this season as well. 

“I feel like I have a lot of pressure on me, but I take it as motivation to do better every year,” Campos said. “I feel like I always have to prove myself. This year is nothing different. I have to keep proving myself.” 

East said Campos is one of the nicest people he’s ever coached. 

“He’s a great person and he’s extremely coachable,” East said. “He plays with a lot of fire and passion, but there’s not too much where it becomes a detriment. He has a great feel for the game. He’s a competitor and brings a spark and a fire and I like that. He also likes to smile and have a good time, fooling around and telling a joke. But Rob definitely knows how to turn it off and gets along with everyone.” 

Campos is a psychology major at R-N. He plans on going to graduate school and pursue a possible career as a psychologist or therapist later on. 

“I just liked the subject and decided to major in it,” Campos said. “I’m talkative and I like to talk to people. I also like to help people. Maybe it’s all a good fit for my personality. Getting along with people now will be a good experience later on.” 

And if Campos can lead the Scarlet Raiders to the NJAC playoffs this year, everyone will like him just a little bit more.