Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

Mike Trenard was pretty certain that his soccer career was over. After having a fine career at Mainland Regional High School in southern New Jersey, Trenard went to Richard Stockton College and tried out for the soccer team there. 

There was only one problem. Trenard was cut from the Ospreys’ roster. 

“I thought I was at the top of my game,” Trenard said. “I was confused and upset with what happened at Stockton. I almost gave up.” 

But then Trenard received from inspiration from his older sister, Khadene. 

Khadene Trenard had a highly successful college soccer career at Rutgers-Newark from 2003 through 2006. 

“Khadene was the one that recommended that I look at Rutgers-Newark,” Trenard said. “We pretty much have the same personality and we like the same things. I trusted her judgement.” 

It also helped that the Scarlet Raiders’ men’s soccer coach Kevin East was very familiar with Trenard. When East was the coach at New Jersey City University, he tried to get Trenard to come to Jersey City. 

“I was recruiting him a bit then, but we then lost touch,” East said. “I knew that he ended up at Stockton, but things didn’t go well there.” 

East said that he received an e-mail from Trenard, citing his interest in transferring to Rutgers-Newark. 

“He wrote that he wanted to come here and play,” East said. “I didn’t even know his sister went here. But his high school coach (John Napoli) played with me in college and we’re still good friends. He gave Mike a good recommendation, so I took the drive down to see him.” 

At the time, Trenard was playing in a men’s indoor league in his hometown of Northfield. 

“After I got cut from Stockton, I didn’t have many options,” Trenard said. “I heard about the indoor league and I figured that would be the only way Coach East could come and see me play. It definitely kept me in shape. Without that league, I probably wouldn’t be playing at all.” 

“He didn’t look great, but I gave him a chance that if he came in fit, he’d get a chance to prove himself,” East said. 

Trenard came to training camp with the Scarlet Raiders last year, just hoping for a spot. He’s been a fixture ever since. 

“He’s done everything we’ve asked of him,” East said. 

And more. East asked Trenard to make a position change, going from the midfield to defender. 

“I just had to change my mindset,” Trenard said. “I had to be more aggressive on the field. When I was playing offense, I was more laid back. But when Coach East thought I would be more of a threat on defense, then I made the switch. Anything I could do to help the team, that’s what I wanted to do.” 

“He’s not the biggest guy in the world, but he’s very tenacious and doesn’t quit,” East said. “He’s a good presence for us in the back and he’s been outstanding. Mike is more composed on defense and is making better decisions. He’s understanding the position better. He understands that it better fills our need and he’s filling the role well.” 

Trenard is thinking more and more like a defender now. 

“I feel comfortable there,” Trenard said. “I didn’t know if I could do it, but I’m doing well there.” 

Trenard also had a big role in the Scarlet Raiders’ 3-2 overtime win recently over Richard Stockton, giving Trenard an instant dose of redemption and revenge. 

“I’m not going to lie, but that was a big motivation for me,” Trenard said. “I got to beat them on their home turf. It was a good feeling.” 

“He was clearly one of our best players against Stockton,” East said. 

And Trenard is also having fun as well. He made a personal bet with East that he could still play offense, so East obliged and let Trenard play striker for a bit against the College of Staten Island. 

“He didn’t think I could do it, so I made a bet with him that I could,” Trenard said. “And I scored a goal. I showed that I still got it.” 

Trenard is majoring in business management at Rutgers-Newark and hopes one day to get into sports management. 

In any case, he’s glad he listened to his sister’s advice to come to Newark. 

“It is completely different here than it is at home, but I’m glad I listened to her,” Trenard said. 

And who is the better soccer player in the Trenard family? 

“C’mon now,” Mike Trenard said. “Who do you think?” 

It’s safe to say that Khadene Trenard would probably say she is. But whatever the answer is, the Trenard family has certainly enhanced the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Rutgers-Newark.