Joseph Ginder '18 Recruiting Profile

     I am a three-sport varsity athlete at Elco High School, playing soccer, basketball, and baseball.  My desire is to play soccer at the collegiate level.  In high school I spread my time between three sports, depending on the season, but in college I will be solely devoted to soccer. 

     I have chosen to play three sports each school-year due to my love of brotherhood and the opportunity to compete. In each of my sports I have strived for and attained a varsity level starting spot. I want to explain my somewhat distinctive situation compared to other potential college soccer players.

     In addition to being on my high school varsity team, I play soccer in the off-season on the club team, “Elco United.” This is a team comprised of players from our own high school. We do not travel the mid-Atlantic in tournaments, as you would think club teams do, but engage in more local play. Some of us are multi-sport athletes. Playing soccer on this type of club team allows us to keep our soccer skills sharp, while still being able to compete in our other high-school sports.

     When college coaches tell me to provide where I will be playing in tournaments, this is tricky.  However, I would welcome invitations to exhibit my skills at ID clinics or showcases.  When I do step on the field at a college ID clinic as a defender, I feel I am able to play at least at the same level as players who only concentrate their time on soccer year-round, or better.

     By being a three-sport athlete in high school, I have much to offer a college soccer team. I would be happy to meet in person with any college coach to discuss what I can bring to a team given my unique three-sport background. 

     Over my high school career, I have been in the post-season in all three of my varsity level sports, which has taught me to be calm in these high-pressure situations.  My most memorable of such games was playing in the District III soccer semi-finals at Hersheypark Stadium.

     I was elected tri-captain on my varsity soccer team this year as a junior.  Many times, my coach would allow me to give the impromptu halftime speech.  It was an honor for me to have my coach place confidence in my leadership in that way.  I am usually selected to be a leader in most group activities that I am involved in, not because I seek this role, but it just seems to be designated to me. 

     I love motivating others to achieve a common goal.  Many times teammates of mine were panicked or pessimistic while a losing game was being played.  I love to continually encourage others in these situations to try to turn them around.  My teammates tend to respond favorably to this type of attitude.  In at least 50% of our soccer games this past season, we were down in the score and came back to win.  We were referred to as “scrappy,” and “tenacious.”

     Three things I live by are faith, family, and athletics.  My teammates are my “brothers.”  Teamwork, bonding, and unity is important.  I believe successful teams are those where all players feel their importance as part of the whole unit, and no one thinks more highly of himself than another.  I will have my teammates’ backs on the field, and off.  Positive feedback and constructive criticism need to flow comfortably through the team in order for it to achieve to its fullest.  When I get serious, my teammates tend to do the same.  We also know how to have a good time, and find the enjoyment in our sport together.

     I try to lead by example on the field or court, and I willingly admit when a mistake was, “my bad.”  I believe in trying to improve my skills during each practice and game.  I enjoy watching film and picking out what I can do to perform better the next time. 

     I am fast, strong, persistent and determined, during play.  Where applicable, I am usually always designated by my coach as the player to go 1:1 with the opposing team’s best man.  Since I am a defender, I believe a team’s best offense is a strong defense to win the ball back.

      I have also been on varsity teams where I was the underclassman, and had to take direction from older captains.  Such was particularly the case in basketball my sophomore and junior years.  I assumed this role willingly, and successfully did what my team needed me to do.

     I bring leadership, passion, confidence, ability, solidarity, and a will to win to the teams I’m a part of. I know wherever I go, I will bring these qualities to the team to help us win.  I hope to go on after college to be a teacher or a state police trooper so I can utilize my talents to help others.