Nineteen years ago, I left my home in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and, along with many other athletes throughout the United States, participated in two gruelling training sessions a day, for several days, preparing for the upcoming soccer season which would begin in September and end with a National Championship three months later. I had been recruited to Lock Haven State College by the Head Coach, Michael Parker, a native of Hull, England, and his assistant, Barry Gorman, who was a former teacher at the secondary school which I had attended in Northern Ireland during my childhood.
Lock Haven State College at this time was one of many small colleges which were associated with the State of Pennsylvania’s Higher Educational system. The college offered four year degree programs in many different areas such as Teacher Education and Certification, Social Work, Political Science, Athletic Training, and Physical Education.
The opportunity to attend an American college allowed me to not only compete within a sport I truly loved, but also gave me the chance to further my education. While participating on the soccer team I was obligated to work towards a degree of my choice, in which my grades were assessed on an annual basis.
Lock Haven competed at the Division III level. Within this division, the allocation of athletic scholarships was not permitted. Payment for my education was subsidized by an international student waiver which covered strictly my course work. The remainder of my expenses; housing, food and everyday living expenses remained by responsibility. Summer employment, which included working on the maintenance crew at a golf course and a work / study position on campus, covered the rest of my expenditures for the year. This, I can assure you, forced me to live on a tight budget; however looking back, this situation helped me to develop independence, along with an appreciation for what an academic degree could do for my future endeavours.
Upon completion of an enjoyable career at Lock Haven, I set out to serve my apprenticeship as an assistant coach and pursue a Masters degree in teaching. After nine years as an assistant coach at The University of South Carolina I was offered my first Head coaching position at Brown University, a member of the prestigious Ivy League. To be a candidate for this position it was required to have an undergraduate degree, preferably a Masters degree and to have obtained a United States Soccer Federation ‘A’ coaching license. In the Ivy League, scholarships are offered on an academic achievement level and a need basis. I was able, through a combination of these financial assistance programs, to bring four players from overseas. These players came from Nerry and Londonderry of Northern Ireland; Cambridge of England and Oslo of Norway. An Ivy League education costs approximately $30,000 per year; however, obtaining a combination of financial aid, loans and work / study programs, expenses can be reduced significantly.
After four successful years at Brown University, I was extremely fortunate to have my dreams become reality when I was offered the Head Coaching position at Clemson University. Clemson is a state university which is rich in both academic and sports tradition. The athletic facilities, considered among the best in the country, include a soccer stadium with an exceptional playing surface and seating which holds 10,000 supporters. At the Division I level, Clemson has been one of the leading programs with two national championships to its credit in 1984 and in 1987.
Clemson is located in the Northwestern corner of South Carolina and is nestles in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains caressed by the shores of Lake Hartwell. A 1,400 acre campus and an enrolment of 17,000 students from 49 states and 79 foreign countries allows great diversity in Clemson’s quest for academic excellence. The soccer program is fully funded with 9.9 scholarships which is to be divided between 25 players. A player’s scholarship may range from $500 dollars for books, to a full scholarship which covers tuition, room and food, fees and books. This is valued at $12,500 per year for an international student. The amount of scholarship awarded to each individual is determined on the ability level of the player and how much he contributes to the success of the season. Academic standing and character are also influencing factors. It is important to note that scholarships are not decreased based on performance, they are however, increased due to contributions from the previous year.
Playing soccer at the collegiate level is extremely demanding with players attending classes five days a week and also participating either in training or matches six days a week. Most Division I programs have a full time coach with assistants, a team equipment manager, a medical trainer, and a strength / conditioning coach, an academic advisor and a team doctor.
On looking back at the opportunity I was given almost two decades ago, I had no idea it would eventually lead to a career coaching the sport I love. I am fortunate to say I do not view my career as a job, but more of a passion. This was all made possible through both my scholarship at Lock Haven and an opportunity to further educate myself in the collegiate environment here in the United States.
