John (Jack) Elginer '24 Recruiting Profile

                I am a Centerback (CB) with a keen ability as a playmaker.  As a three-year US Soccer Development Academy player,  I learned to hone my defensive mindset with an ability to make plays happen for my teammates.  I am a two-sport scholar athlete playing both Varsity soccer since my Freshman year and Varsity baseball as a rising Junior.  I never shy away from competition as I direct and guide my team at every level.   My teammates look to me to lead them from my CB and infield positions.   

On the pitch,  I spent one year as a CDM because my team needed a stronger midfield presence.   I approached my position from a defenders mindset: win balls, create space, distribute and make plays for my team.   When I returned to Centerback, players and coaches noticed a new level of awareness.  One of my strongest qualities is my ability to lead.  Despite being an underclassmen, my team looks to me and listens to me.  At 6'3",  my field vision is strong and I am known for placing balls where my teammates can make plays.  I give direction on the field while also supporting the guys.   As a two-sport athlete, I am never "out of shape" so my  year-round conditioning and training is an asset. 

                While my time in high school is nearly half over, I’ve tried to be a lifelong learner in several ways.  I take summer school classes to accelerate my course schedule.   In the classroom, I enroll in the maximum number of honors classes allowed.  My grades are excellent, with a 4.3 weighted GPA.   During my Junior Year, I will have 3 AP and 1 Honors class.  I strive to maintain As in all classes and have been named to the President’s Honor Roll every semester of my high school career.  This would be challenging under any circumstances but more during the pandemic and while recovering from surgery. 

                My maturity and productivity have grown this year as well.  First, I was elected to represent my class on Student Council as Freshman class Treasurer and have remained in leadership.  During my speech, I told my classmates that I am a “problem solver and someone who they can depend on as a problem solver both in the classroom and on the soccer and baseball field.”  I also volunteered to be an Ambassador for prospective students and families.  

                I overcame tremendous adversity in 2021 suffering a debilitating injury while playing baseball for Crespi.   Diagnosed with osteochrondritis dissecans of the capitulum, a 1-inch piece of my bone popped off my arm while I was pitching.  I needed surgery to insert a cadaver piece to replace my damaged bone at the elbow.  It required me to be out of both soccer and baseball for 4-6 months.  During my extensive rehab, I never wavered from my commitment to my teams, attending practices to shag balls, supporting from the bench, cleaning up the locker room with the guys or helping wherever I could in the dugout.  I demonstrated my work ethic and commitment every day including maintaining my grades under extremely difficult circumstances. In an instant, I went from being a starter in both sports to day after day of working my way back.  My gratitude for my health and ability to play sports has never been higher.   

                Outside of Crespi, I am trying to be productive in many ways including with my leadership and community service work.  I was named to the Calabasas Mayor’s Youth Council and met with the City Council members monthly to discuss issues important to our youth.  In 2021, I testified before the City Council on the Clean Power Alliance, a chance for our city to move from 36% to 100% renewable energy.  I am proud to have been one of a handful of high school students, and the only Crespi student, to do so and even more proud that the City Council voted 4-1 in favor of the measure.  Since I have been in high school, I have logged over 110 volunteer hours with the National League of Young Men (NLYM) by making lunches for homeless people, learning how to make blankets for kids in foster care, collecting and distributing snacks for our healthcare workers at West Hills Hospital and more.  I am also the President Elect of my NLYM Class of 2024. 

                Lastly but equally as important are the ways in which I try to be a moral and spiritual person by being an active member of my church.   I try to live my life by respecting the unique gifts and talents that all people bring and to be someone who is tolerant and understanding of differences among people. 

                For these reasons, I believe I would be a good candidate for any college team that seeks intelligence, soccer talent, leadership on the field and off, unmatched work ethic, coachability and a commitment to make everyone around me better.   Thank you for your consideration.