Teymour Afkhami '22 Recruiting Profile

Ever since the 6th grade, soccer has proven to be one of the most influential powers in my life. Soccer has taught me the importance of putting in those "extra 20 minutes" on and outside the field. Ever since soccer was introduced to me, I have learned to keep high standards for myself and keep my self accountable in times in need. For me, I try to look further than all the athletic benefits of playing soccer. Instead, I focus on the essential life lessons it has taught me. Whether it be never to quit, or always to push yourself, soccer has aided me through many difficult times. One particular time in which soccer supported me through tough times was my freshman year of high school. On the first day of my freshman year, my doctor had said I had been diagnosed with a case of osteoid osteoma in my left tibia, a benign tumor that causes immense pain and swelling if not treated. My doctor told me that I had two options, one to sit out the entirety of my freshman year of varsity soccer, or two play through the pain and have the needed procedure after the season. My passion and determination for success drove me through the pain, ultimately leading to my freshman year on varsity ending in the semi-finals as a result of a last-minute winner. At the end of the season, I was awarded a varsity coaches player of the year. This award commends a player not only for his ability on the field but also for an immense work ethic and team workability. These are I value heavily and two things I consistently offer when I get on the ground. Regardless of whom I am playing, I always push myself to be the loudest and hardest working on the field. These are two things that soccer has taught me as the "controllable things in life" and "non-negotiables" because at the end of the day, only you can control how hard you work, and only you can control how cohesive and cooperative you are as a person.

On the field, not only are work ethic and cooperatively are two things that separate me from other players, but also my ability read the game especially in dangerous situations, and my ability to analyze the game well. If you were to ask any coach of mine, past or present, I firmly believe that they would say that my critical attributes as a player are my decision making and reading of the game. These are two things that have helped me play and compete at higher levels to the best of my ability. I also believe that they would say I always have a "blueprint" of the field, knowing that I'm always thinking about scanning my shoulders, thinking about how I can break the game open or connect the next pass and. Overall, these attributes have helped fuel my ability to transition defense to attack as quickly as possible, which I believe is my best attribute as a player.
My collegiate dream is to play at a college that challenges me athletically, academically, and as a person. Athletically, I see the collegiate level as the best opportunity to further my growth as a player.  The physical and technical jump from the youth soccer I play currently would force me to put in even more hours outside of training to develop both in both of these aspects, ultimately fueling my growth as a player. Academics have always been the driving force behind my soccer, as my mother says, "no grades, no soccer". Academically, I hope I can develop even more inside the classroom at a place that not only guides me down the trajectory I want to pursue in life, but I also hope to be exposed to new fields and opportunities in the process. Finally, socially I hope to play at a college that values personnel off the field equally to personnel on the field. After all, teamwork is what drives teams to championships, and teamwork is fueled by cooperativity, leadership, work ethic, and flexibility, all of which I hope to grow in as a college athlete.

I much appreciate your reading of my personnel statement, Teymour.