Growing up in Western Canada, our next inductee couldn’t have possibly predicted he’d end up at a small Christian college in New York State.
Sanjeev Parmar got involved in sport at the age of four in his hometown of Campbell River, British Columbia. His parents registered him for a youth soccer program and he started playing the sport year-round. He also participated in basketball, volleyball and track, and also road hockey and touch football with his friends. But soccer was his love.
Watching Diego Maradona at the 1986 World Cup and reading Pele’s autobiography helped shape his development in the sport, grew his passion and formed the foundation of the creative flair and intensity that became hallmarks of Sanjeev’s play.
“I always had an infatuation with mastering the ball and manipulating it in ways that allowed me to keep the ball away from everyone else,” Sanjeev recalls. “In elementary school I would challenge all the kids at recess to play a match where it was everyone versus me.”
His rapid development allowed him to train at the Canadian National Training Centre where he was exposed to national team players who were playing at the University level.
His journey to New York was helped by teammate Scot Hourston, who had gone to play at Houghton a year earlier, and by Head Coach Dwight Hornibrook, who was quick to recruit the talented player to the Highlanders. Sanjeev’s impact on the pitch was immediate.
The team finished 12-3-2 in his first season. And as sophomore he helped the team to a No. 9 ranking in the NAIA, a 16-5-1 record, and earned Third Team NAIA All-America honors. He finished his career with 21 goals and 30 assists and helped guide the Highlanders to a 53-16-4 record. He was also a two-time NAIA Honorable Mention All-America selection.
Camaraderie with teammates and seeing the passion of the Houghton fans at games, especially fueled by the team’s rivalry with Roberts Wesleyan, were significant memories for Sanjeev.
While he was making a difference on the field, the Houghton experience was influential on Sanjeev’s personal development. Teammates, coaches and professors helped teach him about the Christian walk, but it wasn’t without challenges. “I didn't have much knowledge of Christianity before I attended Houghton,” Sanjeev says. “There was a major culture shock for me to adjust to Houghton, but I have always been open to learning about new ideas. I had great teammates, coaches, friends and professors at Houghton, who were instrumental in educating me about having faith in Jesus.”
People like Coach Hornibrook, Matt Webb, Joel Barber, Jeremiah Strickland, Nigel Fabien, Daryl Stevenson, Lisa Jones come to mind when Sanjeev recalls those most instrumental in his growth at Houghton. “I was part of four different teams who all helped me learn about Jesus and teach me about having faith in Him,” says Sanjeev. “All of my teammates and coaches were put into my life for the singular purpose of introducing, leading and helping me accept Jesus as my saviour. There is no greater accomplishment than this.”
Playing professionally had always been a dream for Sanjeev. And following his Houghton career, he made good on that dream. He was drafted by the Toronto Lynx of the USL A-League, and went on to play for the Charlotte Eagles and Ottawa Wizards.
When his playing career concluded, he continued his love for teaching the sport. He started his own soccer training business, Parmar Sports Training and later formed Parmar Futuro Soccer Academy, where he leads a coaching staff that trains elite youth players throughout Eastern Canada.
“My passion has always been soccer. I love kids and I love to see progress. Working with kids allows me to live out my passion every day,” says Sanjeev.
Away from training other people’s kids, Sanjeev enjoys being active and pursuing sport with his own family. He and his wife, Seema, live in Ottawa, Ontario, with their children, Aryan and Zara.
