NCSA caught up with rising soccer star Adam Stefaniak about his high school career and the opportunity to compete at the college level.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game?
Stefaniak: The thing that motivates me is that fact that this is my senior year and I only have about a dozen or so more games in my high school career. When I think of this it makes me want to give it my all at every game, either against a good team or bad team. A pre-game ritual I have is at the practice before the game I wear one of my two soccer cleats to practice and wear those shoes for the game. Also, during the national anthem I always do a quick prayer.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play at the collegiate level?
Stefaniak: What I'm going to look forward to the most is taking my game to the next level, when I play with players that are better than me it makes me want to become a better player and to help the team out even more. Also, going to a new place will be very cool and meeting new people will also be great.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in soccer?
Stefaniak: The sports I played weren't really a family tradition, I was just really an athletic kid and played many sports when I was younger. But when I excelled at soccer, I knew this was the sport for me.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Stefaniak: I have received many letters, mostly e-mails. From the schools that have contacted me; most aren't all that surprising.
NCSA: How is your team doing so far?
Stefaniak: My high school team is doing well so far. We are going to have a tough start in the schedule but I know this team can win most of our games. The challenge for this team this year will be to win a district title. This year I feel can be my best year yet, I'm in the best condition I've ever been, my touches are great, shooting really good, and I feel this year is our team's year to do something in the post-season.
NCSA: What are your goals – athletically, academically and in your community – for the rest of the school year?
Stefaniak: My goals athletically are to receive All-State honors and break a school record for most goals in a season. Academically my goals will be to keep a 4.0 the whole year and through my church I will be helping out the community in anyway possible. My goals for the summer are to stay in really good shape to get ready for college soccer, get a job at the hospital to get some experience for my future, and to have a great time hanging with my friends.
NCSA: Tell us about what you’ve learned since being with NCSA.
Stefaniak: I've learned that anyone with some good soccer skills and a passion to play at the next level can to make it to the next step in their soccer career. The one thing I will take away is how much I love to play soccer and how important it is to me.
