Luke Stephen '18 Recruiting Profile

As long as I can remember I have wanted to play soccer in college. My approach to school and my sport has been to be the best I can be and stand out as a team contributor, excellent student, and responsible citizen. I have a 4.12 GPA at the 14th ranked school district and 32nd ranked high school in the U.S. (niche). I am dedicated to excellence in the classroom and on the soccer field.

As an athlete, I started out playing sports that my father played growing up (e.g. baseball, basketball, and gymnastics). I also trained in Taekwondo and was awarded a 3rd-degree black belt after 8 years of intense training. It was during this time that I played soccer at school recess and learned that soccer was my passion.

Shortly after starting to play organized soccer, I started winter training at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Development Academy (RDA). In the fall of 2013, I was selected to join the RDA's inaugural U13 team. As a member of the RDA, I have trained under professional coaches and play for a team that focuses on technical skills. We are a team that plays the ball out of the back and are criticized by our coach if we kick the ball out of danger, which has cost us some games but made us better players. Having the honor of being captain of my soccer teams for five years, I have learned first-hand what distinguishes leaders and how to motivate people to give more than expected. It’s important to me to lead by example.

For these reasons, I believe that I will be a successful student-athlete at the collegiate level.