Club soccer represents Hopkins at nationals
The club travels to Alabama for matches against other top club teams
While the varsity men's and women's soccer teams were streaking in the NCAA playoffs, an often overlooked soccer team at Hopkins was similarly making a name for itself. Two weekends ago, the Hopkins men's club soccer team competed at the National Campus Championship Series National Soccer Championships at the University of Alabama. Competing against club teams from other colleges with Division I soccer programs, and whose student bodies have roughly four times the size of Hopkins, the club team showed just how impressive its accomplishments actually are.
Club sports at Hopkins differ from varsity sports for two main reasons; the first is funding. Club sports do not receive the same funding varsity sports do with respect to coaching, uniforms, field time and travel expenses. Club sports are also not as large a time commitment and attract many athletes who played a sport in high school and wanted to continue to play in college without making a varsity-level time commitment.
With that said, it should not be understated that club soccer at Hopkins is taken very seriously. Founded 15 years ago, coinciding with the founding of the national club soccer organization, the team has developed into a strong contender in the collegiate club soccer realm. While not a varsity team, the team practices two or three days a week on the practice field, and the talent level of the self-coached team is undeniable.
"All of the guys on the team played varsity in high school," club president Jason Wink said. "Many of the guys played on top high school and club teams and were All-State selections in high school." This year the team had roughly 60 hopefuls try out for five open spots on the roster. Also, like a varsity sport, the team strives to achieve great chemistry off the field as well as on it.
"As a team we are a close knit group of guys who definitely have had a great time this season," Wink said. He also told several amusing stories such as the team van getting stuck in a gravel pit at a Waffle House in Tuscaloosa, listening to "Live Your Life" by T.I. before each game.
Club sports at Hopkins differ from varsity sports for two main reasons; the first is funding. Club sports do not receive the same funding varsity sports do with respect to coaching, uniforms, field time and travel expenses. Club sports are also not as large a time commitment and attract many athletes who played a sport in high school and wanted to continue to play in college without making a varsity-level time commitment.
With that said, it should not be understated that club soccer at Hopkins is taken very seriously. Founded 15 years ago, coinciding with the founding of the national club soccer organization, the team has developed into a strong contender in the collegiate club soccer realm. While not a varsity team, the team practices two or three days a week on the practice field, and the talent level of the self-coached team is undeniable.
"All of the guys on the team played varsity in high school," club president Jason Wink said. "Many of the guys played on top high school and club teams and were All-State selections in high school." This year the team had roughly 60 hopefuls try out for five open spots on the roster. Also, like a varsity sport, the team strives to achieve great chemistry off the field as well as on it.
"As a team we are a close knit group of guys who definitely have had a great time this season," Wink said. He also told several amusing stories such as the team van getting stuck in a gravel pit at a Waffle House in Tuscaloosa, listening to "Live Your Life" by T.I. before each game.
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New York Cruises
posted 1/05/09 @ 11:02 AM EST
Hopkins is a great actor, not to mention that he is also a very interesting and nice presence as a human being. I believe that he deserves a lot of the actions that are made in his honor. (Continued…)
Alison Worth
posted 3/07/09 @ 12:42 AM EST
I have to agree with teh poster above... :/ looks like a lot of hot air to me.
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