Joseph McCoy '19 Recruiting Profile

Joseph McCoy,

I am aware that “student” comes before “athlete” in the term “student-athlete”.  At this juncture in my life I am searching for the best opportunity to balance both academics and athletics. I am at a turning point in my soccer career in which I want to find the perfect college that will allow me to excel and develop as a student-athlete.  Soccer has played a pivotal role in my life from a young age.  I remember my first coach advising us to never give up, keep our eyes on the ball and that there were donuts for after the game!  I discovered early that I liked playing soccer and spent hours watching soccer greats like Messi and Maradona to learn about the game.  From that first exposure I have devoted many more hours striving to be the best I can be - to reach both team and personal goals  

Starting at a young age, I played for two Pioneer Valley youth teams – Brookside FC and Bethesda FC - learning the basics of the game.  At Bethesda FC I met coach David Aponte who made me very aware of my strengths and above average attributes in comparison to the competition. Those strengths and attributes include speed, field vision, and competitiveness. During my attendance at an intensive summer soccer camp held at the University of Connecticut I was exposed to many different levels of play and skill development. Reaching further into my teenage years, I played soccer for my high school team, Central Golden Eagles, as well as my Premier travel team, Global Premier Soccer. At Central, coached by Scott Arel, I learned how to play smarter and faster.  At GPS under the direction of numerous coaches and coaching staff from all over the world, my skills became very technical based on my position as outside midfielder. All of these experiences allowed my soccer performance to evolve to the next level making me the well-rounded unique player I am today.  I work every day to use my knowledge of the game to get better and use my competitive edge to rise above those opposing me and stand out from the average. During game time I like to focus on the task at hand and what needs to be done to achieve a good end result. I take great joy in finding the back of the net and in being the reason my teammates found it. The next step in advancing my soccer career is to find a school that looks to develop players further, use their strengths and build up player character.

Academically, I strive to be the best I can in each and every subject. I have struggled at times with science and math throughout my school years. However, I learned how to reach out and secure extra help and make use of tutoring services to maintain my grades.  Soccer has always been what has kept me afloat academically. The thought of not being able to play the sport I love due to not performing well academically has pushed me to remain an above average student in high school. I plan on transferring that aspect of my schooling to college. In order to perform at my very best academically, I need the motivation of being part of a soccer program. Why not use the sport I love to help me excel in other areas?  I plan to use my love of soccer along with the wisdom, time and belief my parents, coaches and supporting peers and teammates have given me to reach my goals. It is this combination that has made me the successful student-athlete I am today.

  It is my goal to challenge myself in college – both academically and athletically - and to prepare myself for my future.  I want to make those who have given me the foundations of achievement proud of my continued success. I want to work hard and be happy and achieve my goals. Through my years of playing soccer, I have learned and developed many personal characteristics that will lead to success.  I have learned persistence, the drive to win, the importance of being a team player and above all else – to never give up.  These are the qualities that will make me an asset to your soccer program and will help me achieve success both on and off the field.