Athlete Spotlight: David Boldt

The Men’s Soccer Team took the RMAC Regular-Season Championship title on Oct. 26, after beating the CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolves 3-1. While the offense crushed it during this game, and throughout the season, the Orediggers could not have won the Championship without a strong midfield and defense. Leading the way in this effort is senior David Boldt, playing Center Midfield. Boldt has been a strong contributor to the Orediggers’ success this year, playing 80+ minutes and all games but two. Boldt uses stamina and speed to defensively stop opponents in their tracks, but also pushes offensively to keep the ball on the opponent’s side of the pitch.
Boldt shared that in his last year with Mines athletics, his “primary focus has been to enjoy every moment and take it all in before it comes to an end.”
Grade: Senior

Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Major: Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Economics

Position: Center Mid

What made you choose Mines?
While Boldt started his collegiate career at Oregon State University, he soon transferred to Mines, as it better suited his short and long-term goals. “I would be able to focus more on my studies and earning an engineering degree at a highly regarded university”, shared Boldt, “while still being able to compete at a high level in sports.”

What are some challenges of being a student athlete at Mines?
“Over the years, I have had to learn how to manage my time wisely”, said Boldt. He usually doesn’t start homework until 6 PM after classes and soccer practice. As a result of this, Boldt shares that “it is easy to fall behind in classes if you’re not on top of your schedule so using your time effectively is even more important as a student-athlete.”

Favorite part about soccer? Favorite part about the team?
“Competing at a high-level and winning games is enjoyable,” said Boldt, “but the best part about this is getting to do it with your brothers.” There is no doubt that working hard to win games with the same guys day in and day out forges strong bonds. “Our team is like a family, as we always have each other’s backs through thick and thin,” expressed Boldt. “The friendships I have made will last well beyond my time at Mines.”

What do you see your role on the team as?
“First and foremost, I lead by example through my play and effort on the pitch”. Additionally, Boldt is a vocal leader who helps to organize the team on the field. “I strive to encourage and inspire my teammates to give their best daily. Being relentlessly positive with one another is a goal we set at the beginning of the season,” confided Boldt, who has been the captain of the soccer team for almost 3 semesters now.

Pre game traditions?
Before games, Boldt likes to relax and just try to calm his nerves before the 90+ minutes spent hustling on the field. “The best way to do this is listen to music” said Boldt, “and sometimes visualize myself playing in the game the night before the match.”
Role Models?
For Boldt, family comes first. “My parents have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams regarding sports and school”, he said, adding that “they are by far my biggest supporters as they have never missed a game in my career.” Their support has enabled Boldt to find success both in the classroom and on the soccer pitch.

Hobbies, besides athletics?
Boldt enjoys traveling to new places, and shared that one of his most humbling experiences in life was a humanitarian trip to Los Llanos, Dominican Republic. “On this trip, we helped cultivate 5 acres of land, visited a children’s and elderly home, and played soccer and baseball with the locals”, said Boldt. Despite the local people not having as much material wealth as most Americans, “they were some of the happiest people I had ever met”, Boldt stated. He plans to go on another similar trip with the Invictus Initiative or Mines without Borders.