- 2014 Highlights
Personal Statement
I have been playing competitive soccer on club and school teams since second grade, and my dream is to continue my soccer career in college. I hope to find a position with a college or university that has both very high academic and athletic standards. I have been a defensive player exclusively since third grade, and believe that I possess physical attributes, skills and instincts to allow me to be successful at the collegiate level. My job has always been to stop the opponent from scoring, and each team I played on allowed very few goals. If a goal is scored on my keeper, I take it personally. I am never satisfied unless we shut out the other team.
In the past two years, I have worked very hard in the gym to improve my strength and speed, and have become a very physical player. I am known for my solid footwork. I have also used my strength to be very effective on both the offensive and defensive ends of corner kicks. This past fall, I scored five goals for my high school team on corner kicks, In defending corner kicks, I always take on the opponent’s biggest player to prevent him from getting near the ball.
I believe I have a great understanding of what is involved in becoming a successful student athlete. Both of my parents were Division 1 athletes, and my two older brothers have played football at the collegiate level (one at Carnegie Mellon, the other at Davidson). Each of them has set valuable examples for me, and I understand the commitment necessary to succeed as a student athlete.
I have been fortunate to have attended one of the highest ranked academic high schools in the state, which has a very strong teaching staff, and high achieving students. I have worked hard and been successful in the classroom, and am very confident that I am well-prepared for college academics.
My club team and high school coaches are very successful former players themselves, and I am the player I am today because of them. My club team coach for seven years, Jerry Moyer, played at Penn State and was an All-American. A recommendation letter from him can be found in this profile under the “Athletics” tab.
I am also considering extending my pre-college career by attending a prep school as a post-graduate, an experience which one of my brothers had. If you would consider me as a Class of 2016 grad, rather than 2015, I would appreciate hearing that.
Thank you for taking the time to consider me.
James Bamberger
