Charles Vakos '22 Recruiting Profile

My name is CJ Vakos.  I have been playing soccer since I was 4 years old my parents signed me up with our local YMCA. My mother loves telling the story of the coach taking my brother and I off the field because we were scoring too much; according to her we were not happy until we got the after-game snack. After that they signed me up with the VB Rush Soccer Club.

A big moment for my soccer journey was my last year in middle school. I tried out for the soccer team my 6^th and 7^th grade and didn’t make it. I once again stepped out on to the tryout field for 8^th grade and made the team. Our team made it to the city championship that year I started every game and was never taken out of the game. I worked hard and in the end Coach Howard sent an email to my parents saying, “I wish I would not have looked CJ over those years.” This was when I learned to never give up, and the fight was just beginning.  

I come from a family of defenders, this was my position and I played every minute from U9- U16. This last year my Coach wanted to mix it up and put me as a forward playing less, and subbing out, I became a utility player, I struggled. I kept fighting and learned the position and started scoring. I’m the player that is moved around on the field between positions and must be very flexible in my play and thinking. I scored the winning goal in the 2022 Virginia State Semifinal game  with 2 minutes left in the second overtime. I then had the assist across the goal for the final goal to give us a win for the State Champions. I would like to continue this at the next level. 

I want to play at the next level and continue my education to study business marketing, agribusiness, environmental studies or natural resource management. I enjoy the outdoors and being on the water. I think we need to save the environment for the future. 

I am currently attending Shenandoah University and am looking to transfer somewhere that I can play soccer at the collegiate level.