By any measure, Pascal Trappe's road to success at Binghamton was a long and bumpy one. He was named first-team all-conference in his final season (2015), leading the Bearcats to a runner up finish at the America East Tournament. Five years earlier, he came to the United States from Germany to play college soccer – at St. John's. Two years later, he transferred to Binghamton only to endure a series of injuries that kept him off the field until that final 2015 campaign.

Five years since that special season, Trappe is back in his native Germany working in business but has kept tabs on how the current Bearcats are doing.

Tell us why you chose to come to Binghamton.

I have to go back a little to explain this. I initially agreed on transferring to another school but a couple of weeks prior the start of the season, they changed their athletic director who decided that they needed a better score of my TOEFL Test. As my English vastly improved in my freshman year I transferred with a 3.7 GPA so I didn't want to take the test not knowing what score I would need and then stay home in Germany. After a quick conversation with my coach at St. John's he emailed Paul Marco if he was still interested in me. He was and the rest is history.

What were your favorite moments during your career at Binghamton?

There were so many great moments in my time at Binghamton. Whether it was helping the team get to the America east tournament final or getting my bachelors and master's degree or probably what I enjoyed the most was the people that I met from all over the world and the friendships that grew out of it.

How special was the 2015 season when the team made the conference title game and you were healthy and your family got to see you play?

The 2015 season was very special. Struggling with injuries for three years I was pretty much done playing. But Coach really wanted me to wear the Binghamton jersey and play for him one more game in the spring of 2015 and from one game followed more and then I stayed and played as a grad. I unfortunately was never fully healthy and played at maybe 40% max of my capability. But with all the help of John Konuito, Kevin Hastings and Will Dunn I was able to get ready for the games even though I couldn't move for two days after each game ?? all taped up and no practice really I was finally able to give a little bit back to the program.

Two of the goals you scored in 2015 were when your parents came over to visit from Germany. Looking back, how much do you cherish those games?

Scoring both games my parents visited was incredible as they supported me the most in the tough years prior. I also remember now my first collegiate goal thinking of my parents as it was on my dad's birthday and both attended that game too!

Tell us what you are doing now.

I am back in Berlin now. Working as a Business Consultant. Otherwise I mentor athletes that want to pursue a degree combined with sports in the USA as well. I also give presentations at schools and athletic teams about my time in Binghamton.

What are your thoughts towards the current Binghamton players whose fall season got postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

I am a firm believer of positive thinking. So everything happens for a reason. Let's hope everyone stays healthy and fuels their fire. This fall they can immerse all freshmen and work on becoming a team on and off the field. It's pretty much a longer pre-season and will help them be successful in the spring.

I just did my golf license here in Berlin. Because you cannot play on the fields without having a license and a proper handicap. So I'm working on that right now to beat Coach Marco when I come visit Binghamton again.

Have you stayed connected with the game of soccer?

Yes. Last year I did my UEFA B License and then I supported  (current Binghamton assistant coach) Tommy Moon when he was in Berlin taking it. UEFA represents the national football associations of Europe, runs nation and club competitions including the UEFA European Championship, UEFA Nations League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Super Cup, and controls the prize money, regulations, and media rights to those competitions. It's both Europe and German federation. So you could say DFB-UEFA B License.

You were known for giving your teammates haircuts during your time at Binghamton. Are you still in that business now?

I cut hair but only my closest friends and family at this point.