Six years ago, Edwyn Mendoza was an eighth grader at Ida Jew Academy in east San Jose.
A lot has happened since then for the San Jose native. Now in his second professional season playing for Town FC—the San Jose Earthquakes’ second team club—the 19-year-old Mendoza returned to Ida Jew on May 1 to give back to a place where he has fond memories.
Mendoza congratulated the school’s third- and fourth-graders who recently completed the five-week Get Earthquakes (EQ) Fit wellness curriculum, a program designed to get kids on the path to a healthy and active lifestyle through games and easy-to-understand lessons.
The program was expanded this year as a result of the Earthquakes’ partnership with El Camino Health, the official health care sponsor for the storied Major League Soccer club. A 5-foot-10, 160-pound midfielder for Town FC and a U.S. Youth National Team player, Mendoza felt humbled to now be in a position where kids aspire to be like him.
“I was happy to be back to be a role model for kids,” he said. “It was kind of weird being back since I just graduated there six years ago, but it was pretty cool. There were three or four teachers I knew—two of them personally taught me during my time there—and they congratulated me, which was a nice moment.”
One of Mendoza’s eighth grade teachers, Geetha Manjunath, attended the event and expressed pride in Mendoza being an Ida Jew alumnus.
“It’s very gratifying seeing a (former) student being a role model,” Manjunath said via the Earthquakes communication team. “We’re very proud of him. I was an eighth grade math and science teacher, and he was one kid that I used to tell other students, that he’s a perfect role model who knows how to balance academics and sports. He was a very diligent and hard working student, getting straight-A’s and at the same time showing the same interest in sports as well.”
Manjunath added that today’s kids need role models and accessible programs like Get EQ Fit to equip them to live healthy lives.
“I think in today’s generation, the first thing kids need is good mental health,” she said. “That can be balanced with good sports and programs like Earthquakes Fit. When you get this to our schools, it’s definitely an energizing experience giving exposure to our students in how to balance academics and sports.”
Through their partnership, the Earthquakes and El Camino Health has expanded the Get EQ Fit program to over 40 schools throughout the South Bay, providing tangible ways for students and families to incorporate health and fitness into their daily lives.
“Get EQ Fit was born out of the need of an extracurricular school program that would help teachers meet kids where they are with a wellness curriculum to educate them on the benefits of health and fitness,” said Robert Davis, the Earthquakes Vice President of Community Relations.
Mendoza talked about the importance of healthy living and goal setting, both on and off the field. His path to the pros has some familiar elements. His dad, Adalberto, had Edwyn dribbling a soccer ball when he was 3 years old and playing in a league a year later.
“It was a passion for me and dad,” Mendoza said. “My dad comes from humble beginnings in Mexico, and he would’ve wanted to be a pro soccer player as well. He told me early on that I was going to be a pro soccer player some day. I enjoy it, I love it, and I’m so happy he put me in the sport at an early age.”
Mendoza showed an aptitude for the beautiful game early, playing for venerable club teams Lobitos and Barcelona Bay Area before making the move to join the Quakes Academy when he was 12. From there, he rose through the Academy’s various age group teams before signing a Homegrown Player contract with the Earthquakes at Paypal Park on May 3, 2023—a moment Mendoza won’t soon forget.
“It was on my birthday so probably the best birthday I’ve ever had,” he said. “I had family there, brought a lot of friends, a beautiful moment for sure.”
After starting nearly every game for Town FC last season, Mendoza is currently injured so his short-term goal is to get back on the pitch and contribute. Mendoza would love nothing more than to suit up for the Earthquakes at some point this season.
“My personal goal is to make my debut for the first team,” he said. “It would be nice to get some minutes and play for my hometown team, be the man for the team, someone they can rely on.”
