New Mexico State University and University Degrees Abroad have agreed to establish a
developmental men’s soccer program at the university and to begin recruiting local, state, regional and international players to take part. NMSU will be home to the first UDA soccer program in the U.S. “I’m excited to have UDA become part of our Aggie Community,” said NMSU Vice President for Student Success Renay Scott. “Having developmental soccer on campus will enhance Aggie Life while allowing participants be part of a supportive community where we all want to see them succeed in their goals. This is a win-win for everyone.” For years, UDA has operated a year-round developmental soccer academy in England. Their mission is to provide student athletes with an internationally recognized university degree, a developmental soccer experience and opportunity for multiple pathways in their chosen career within a fully integrated university experience. As part of the agreement, UDA will establish a European-style academy with a professional coaching environment on the NMSU campus. All program participants will be full-time, degree-seeking students at either NMSU or Doña Ana Community College. “When we made the decision to bring our academy concept to the U.S., we had a number of qualifiers we felt were paramount to our success – especially as we look to offer a different option to the current men’s collegiate soccer model in this country,” said Jeff Thompson, director of graduate recruitment for University Degrees Abroad. “Most importantly, NMSU offers student-athletes a fully integrated university experience and a full range of internationally recognized academic programs. Additionally, Las Cruces and the surrounding area provide a perfect environment for the delivery of a year-round play, access to quality competition and a lot of local, state and regional soccer talent to recruit into our program.” NMSU will facilitate the admissions process, in conjunction with a UDA liaison, for participants in the program. All UDA recruits are subject to NMSU’s standard admissions procedures and standards. UDA will work to recruit 18-25 new participants each year, with a goal of having at least 50 participants by the third year of the program. WRITER: Justin Bannister, 575-646-5981, [email protected] CONTACT: Jeff Thompson, 575-644-5764, [email protected]
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The regional recruitment events for UDA at NMSU program, will kick off beginning Nov. 3rd in Denver, Colorado. Further events will take place in Dallas, Texas, Nov. 30th, and Las Cruces, New Mexico Dec. 7th to round out the fall recruitment. Prospects can also attend one of the national recruitment events for UDA programs at Rose Mofford, Phoenix, Az Nov. 22nd- 24th and at Lakewood Ranch, Fl. Dec. 20th 22nd. Regional recruitment events will be scheduled for the spring at various locations in the western states to be announced later this fall. The events are intended to give prospects an insight into the program with training sessions, small, and full sided games as well as a presentation of the full program at NMSU. Each event begins at 9am and ends at 4.00pm. Enrollment is limited. Why the UDA program at NMSU? The UDA program at NMSU offers the opportunity for those students wanting to stay in the USA while continuing their soccer development during the critical years of 18-20, without sacrificing their undergraduate education. The UDA academy will mirror the UDA program in Chester, England for player development with a year round training and playing. The pathway at NMSU will also allow students to move into the UDA Academy in Chester, stay at NMSU, or move into scholarship positions at a U.S. collegiate program. Coach Reilly, who will oversee the soccer operations at NMSU stated, “We know some students are not quite ready at some levels, they may need an extra year of development, sometimes in the classroom and sometimes on the field. Rather than sit on a collegiate bench because with no opportunity until junior or even senior year students can work on their game while earning academic credits. They may if they so choose, move into our UDA University of Chester program, collegiate soccer or stay at NMSU until graduation." Students interested in attending a regional recruitment event should contact Director of Recruitment, Coach Reilly at 614 421 8084 Email: [email protected] |
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