The Fabula Magna series will focus on members of Blue Streak Nation who exemplify the value of "curas personalis", a Latin phrase that translates as "care for the entire person". Each story and each subject will have its own unique perspective, but all stories will have that common thread of those who strive to live the John Carroll University mission -- inspiring individuals to excel in learning, leadership, and service in the region and in the world.

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When it came time to take individual headshots for the men's soccer team when camp opened in August, John Carroll sports information director Chris Wenzler was told that they would be two players short.
 
Making a simple inquiry about the whereabouts of one of the missing players, Wenzler asked where Jared Vidika might be that he was absent for the first days of camp.
 
The team's head coach, Hector Marinaro, casually answered, "Right now? He might be jumping out of a plane."
 
Not figuratively mind you. It was quite possible Vidika was jumping out of a plane.
 
Vidika was still in Gräfenberg, Germany, where he was for a month with an airborne unit of the United States army parachuting from planes (four exactly). He was there for Cadet Leadership Development Training (CDLT), where he shadowed an officer in an airborne unit. This was directly on the heels of finishing 31 days of training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he was tested on everything he has learned over the past three years through John Carroll's Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program.
 
To do all of that, Vidika did not return to campus until August 23, missing almost part of the preseason training for soccer. He didn't mind, though, and neither did Marinaro.
 
Since Vidika was a child, growing up in Medina, Ohio, he dreamed of being in the army. He says he always idolized soldiers and would make fake war scenes with army dolls when he was young.
 
He also grew up playing soccer and had a passion for that his whole life too. As college drew near, Vidika realized that joining the army was a viable option and by the end of his junior year of high school realized it was something he could actually do, and play soccer as well.
 
"John Carroll was the perfect fit," said Jared. "I let Hector know I was going to try to be doing both freshmen year and he was all about and very supportive. He knew me since I was younger and I've even played under the assistant coach before, so they knew where I was coming from."
 
Sometimes, though, being this involved can make life a little crazy. Vidika said this is never a difficult situation as he's learned that if he needs to take a step back from soccer or ROTC, he can, as both work well together and look out for me at the end of the day.
 
"I have had to miss some games and so on and so forth because ROTC has taken the priority," said Jared. "Hector is totally understanding and is all about it because I'm the only kid on the team that does this and he knows me and why I do this, so he has been extremely helpful and supportive."
 
As a business student on top of being a soccer player and a cadet, the question now lies, what next for the senior?
 
"It has been a struggle to be an influence on the soccer team but also be an influence in ROTC," said jared. "It has always been a constant battle. Sometimes it has been, 'what're you doing to do after college?'  …or 'Are you going to play soccer or be in the army?'"
 
He plans to go active duty after graduation, but knows he would not be where he is or who he is without the dichotomy of what was shown to him through both soccer and ROTC.
 
"The soccer team formed me as a person and ROTC formed me as a professional," said Jared. "I would not be the person I am without both sides of that."
 
Not only do the teams help him out, so do his professors. Vidika would discuss what was going on with his schedule to his professors, and in turn they will work with him to make sure all three aspects of his life -- school, soccer, and ROTC) – could work.
 
Even while busy, Vidika still finds ways to take leadership roles in all he does, even if it means he's not always in the spotlight. He is a center back and captain on the soccer team, and in ROTC he is the company commander. In both roles, he communicates a lot to his team/platoon but is not always the front man.
 
"I love it, and while others get credit, I support them 100 percent," said Jared. "At the end of the day, I know I've done my part to get them where they are, I've helped someone else's success."
 
As for the team and ROTC, they get along as well. The boys from ROTC come to his games, and the color guard performs at the senior soccer night, while the men on the team always call him "Sarge". The team, he says, "respects the heck out of what I am doing."
 
An embodiment of "cura personalis", Vidika has special reverence and passion for both soccer and ROTC.
 
"My passion for them both is incredible," said Jared. "My schedule is ridiculous, and finding the balance is tough, but at the end of the day I go to bed thinking I've done something I am proud of with my day".