Luke Dunn is one of the fortunate few in life for whom work isn’t really work at all. Instead, it’s a fun and rewarding extension of his two passions—teaching and soccer.

“I’m doing what I love every day,” said Dunn, Viterbo University men’s soccer coach, whose team currently has a sterling 16–0–1 record and has qualified for the conference tournament in Lawrenceville, Ga.

As a former four-year NCAA Division I soccer player at Valparaiso University, Dunn brought a wealth of knowledge to Viterbo when he accepted his first head coaching position three years ago. Building on the team’s past successes, he now has the team on the cusp of being a national power.

“We’re now one of the top teams in a great conference,” he said. “We have as good a shot as anyone of making and winning the national tournament. I want to replicate the success of the Viterbo women’s volleyball program and consistently be one of the top teams in the country.”

International recruiting has paid huge dividends for the team. The roster currently includes 18 international students from 12 different countries. An additional three players previously emigrated to the U.S.

“More people play soccer than any sport in the world,” Dunn said. “There are a large number of athletes who want to study and play in the U.S., and many fit the Viterbo profile academically. Recruiting these students has really paid off.”

What makes this team most special however is the close friendship of the athletes. That relationship has result-ed in extra motivation and effort at practice and on their own time.

“That really shows on the field,” Dunn said.