by Chase Bryer
Soccer and this year’s FIFA World Cup have some new fans – the Kiowa Tribe.
Chris Wondolowski, a 31-year-old forward on the U.S. Men’s National Team, has inspired his people by becoming the first enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe to compete in the World Cup.
He also has sparked an interest in the game of soccer for Kiowas everywhere.
“No one ever even thought of watching soccer. Now that he’s playing, … everyone’s watching soccer,” said Steve Quetone, Kiowa Nation Sports Club director.
“Just the idea of knowing that we have a Kiowa that’s succeeded and is excelling, and is one of American’s top players, I think is what really impacted all the children and mostly the adults,” Quetone said.
He said the tribe’s first soccer camp was held last year and the second will be held this Sunday, along with a ‘Wondo” World Cup watch party when the United States team takes on Portugal.
Quetone said the Kiowa people have had an interest in many other sports but soccer is recent and it has to do with Wondo, as most call him.
“He’s had a very, very big impact,” Quetone said. “Because of Wondo, we started soccer.”
Wondolowski, who plays for the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer, grew up in California. He started playing soccer at age 6 or 7. His participation in sports other than soccer and playing with his brothers helped him excel at soccer.
He played college soccer at Chico State University before the Earthquakes drafted him in 2005. His dedication and drive led him to the World Cup.
Wondolowski’s mother, Janis Hoyt, said her son is capable of playing soccer at any level. But she could not envision the opportunity heading his way. She just returned from Brazil, where she watched Wondolowski and the team defeat Ghana 1-2.
“It’s surreal,” Hoyt said. “He’s such a humble person and he never ever … has felt that he’s better than anyone, (or) that he should be the one selected over someone else. I think that that’s what really (got) him to where he is.”
Hoyt is half-Kiowa and one-quarter Cherokee. She said her mother was a full-blooded Kiowa who was instrumental in keeping the family tied to the Kiowa way of life. Wondolowski is Polish on his father’s side.
Wondo has expressed his love for his Native heritage. He is an ambassador for Nike N7 and Nike N7 Fund. The Nike N7 Fund helps fund Native organizations that fight diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, plaguing Indian Country. Funds for the Nike N7 Fund are collected from the Nike N7 Native American shoe and clothing line. Money from sales goes into the fund. Wondolowski has his own Nike N7 line of cleats.
Wondolowski’s tribal name Bau Daigh (pronounced Bowe Dye) means “warrior coming over the hill.”
Hoyt said her son’s ambition is not only to play soccer on an elite level but also to influence his tribe.
“Chris’ dream has not only been to play and excel in his sport but also to do things that could make an impact,” she said. “The fact that there are other kids, especially Native Americans, that are taking on the sport is amazing.”
While soccer is new to the Kiowa Tribe, Wondolowski always had a strong family fan base.
Brent Bear, his uncle on his mother’s side, was part of the family who has followed Wondolowski’s success. Bear lives in Carnegie, Okla., where many Kiowas reside. He has seen the impact Wondolowski has had on the tribe.
“It was really based upon the interest in what Chris has accomplished. It’s amazing, really. To my knowledge, he’s the first Native American, not just Kiowa, to play at the World Cup, so it is very exciting,” Bear said. “I’m happy, and we’re proud of him. As a tribe, we are all proud of him, our family especially.”
