NCSA caught up with promising recruit Drew Perry about his high school career and the opportunity to compete at the college level.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game? What's your pre-game ritual(s)?
Perry: Before a big game I try to keep myself calm so I don't get nervous, but I keep what's at stake in the back of my mind so I stay on top of my game, and don't make any mistakes. I usually listen to a song about an underdog, because I'm usually on the underdog team. Before my states games this year, I listened to Big Money by Rush.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play on a collegiate level?
Perry: In college, I look forward to playing on a bigger stage. Not just against teams in my county. Not just in front of parents of the team. I love playing in front of big crowds.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in the sports you played in? (Is it a family tradition, do you admire an athlete in the sport)?
Perry: I just love sports. When I was younger I played every sport I could. As I grew up I stuck with soccer and hockey because they were my favorites (and I was good at them).
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Perry: I've only had one e-mail from a college and one letter from another college before NCSA. I am pleasantly surprised with how quickly I got mail from colleges, from when I started with NCSA.
NCSA: How are your team(s) doing so far? (Club teams, high school teams)? Any challenges this season? How are you excelling personally, how does that compare to previous years?
Perry: My high school team made states for the first time in five years. We had a major upset in the first round by winning 1-0. This was a huge accomplishment for our school, which had not done this for a long time. We lost our second round game 2-1, but we were in it the whole time, and that showed how much better our team was, compared to the other high school teams I was a part of.
NCSA: What are your goals - athletically, academically and in your community - for the rest of the school year? What are also your goals for the summer? Are you looking to improve your speed, skills, acing a course?
Perry: I'm looking to get in better shape. Hopefully drop a few pounds to become quicker, and more agile. And I am trying to pick up my grades so I can look at more schools that would accept me.
NCSA: Tell us about what you've learned since being with NCSA. Have you learned about how to talk with coaches? Have you learned some rules on playing at the next level? What's the biggest take-away you have from your experience here?
Perry: I have learned that I have to be proactive, not reactive. I joined a high level club team, mainly because of what NCSA wanted me to do. It has really helped my play. And we play at showcase tournaments so college coaches can see me play, instead of just waiting for them.
