Temesgen Vreeman '22 Recruiting Profile

My name is Temesgen “TJ” Vreeman. My name is important because I was born in Ethiopia. I joined my American family when I was 5 years old. Now, I am 17 years old and a Senior attending Holland High School in Holland, MI, home to the famous Tulip Time Festival. 

As a freshman, I started on the JV soccer team and then played up to the varsity team.  I was a mid-defense starter for both JV and Varsity and was named team captain for my junior year. I received the All District Team most valuable defensive player award.  I play and train year round, last year I was on the Midwest United Academy team and we won the Michigan State Cup. I am an outback defender Currently I am on the GRFC academy team and the ODP State team for the summer.  I was recently invited to join on their MLS Next team and look forward to a great year..  Parents and coaches often compliment me on my sportsmanship, defensive skill, strong kick and lengthy throw ins.

I am an excellent student and take my education seriously. Currently I maintain a (unweighted) 3.8 GPA in the Advanced Placement/Honors tract.  I have not decided on a major yet, but considering sports medicine, athletic training, or physical therapy. While I focus on school, I am also involved with running distance and school track, and have many friends that are important to me. I also actively participate in helping my community as a member of HYAC (Holland Youth Advisory Council).

I love giving back to the soccer community by volunteering as a youth coach for summer youth training camps. I am a certified referee for soccer u8-u19 and this really has given me a respect for referees. I have loved soccer since the time my parents handed me a ball in an Ethiopian orphanage when I was 4. I never want to put the ball down and now I send 10% of all the money I earn back to my family in Ethiopia so they can go to school and have a better life. I hope one day to have a career that allows me to give back even more to the country and community where I was born. I plan to consider colleges that are a good match for me both academically and athletically. 

Thank you for taking your time to get to know me.