For UDA NMSU Goalie, JD Meyers, his dreams are now in reach. This week the all-star goalie who lead the NMSU team to the UPSL Elite Eight Tournament signed his first professional contract with the Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club in Tennessee. 

"I moved out to Tennessee the same day I signed on August 17th. Everything happened so fast" Meyers stated.

"UDA and Coach Tahlon helped prepare me for the next level by providing great opportunities that I was able to take advantage of. I felt that I was constantly supported and pushed in my pursuit of becoming a professional footballer and was setup to be a leader of the NMSU program. Due to this I was able to find success reaching the next level" Meyers continued. 

To keep up with JD and his new squad, view the Red Wolves' schedule. 

​So far in the program's history, the NMSU team has made it one step farther in their season every year. Coach Drake claims that it all comes back to having goals and starting the season with intentionality. "At the beginning of every season, the boys and I sit down and set TEAM goals. In the last two seasons in the UPSL, the team has progressed one game further. For example in the Spring of 2021 (Season 1) the boys lost in the first round of playoffs, while in the Fall of 2021 (Season 2) the boys lost in the Championship match of the Arizona Division. This past season, the boys set a team goal of reaching the round of 32 and getting one game better every year. [This season] I was expecting the student-athletes to improve one step at a time through experience and hard work."

​As the season progressed, success came with it but so did the growth of the players. One of the biggest changes seen among the team was culture, taking ownership, and coming together as a family. "The biggest improvement I have seen within this group is a sense of belief within the team, the 'we versus me' mentality, and the boys attitude to fight for each other on and off the field" Drake stated. 

​In addition to the success of the season, the NMSU team gained a brand new home field on campus "[With] a field to call their own, the boys feel like they have a sense of belonging now" Drake continued. The team certainly leaned on home-field advantage by never dropping a game on their new pitch. 

The NMSU team's success wouldn't have been as sweet without a community of encouragement, "The support from the UDA families has been amazing! Traveling from all over the country and some families from outside the country, we couldn't ask for a better group of parents to cheer on the team!" Drake said. Outside of the UDA families' continued support, the local community has helped spread the word about supporting the NMSU squad.

As we reflect on this past season, we can't help but get excited for what's to come this fall and the chance to welcome in a new group of players and their families. "As Coaches, we're so looking forward to welcoming the incoming class of student-athletes. Coach Blake and I are excited about what we feel this group can be in the coming years. With all that being said, we can't wait to create relationships and help these young men achieve success on and off the field." Stated Drake. ​

The NMSU team is headed back to training this month, and we can't wait to cheer them on! Stay turned for an updated roster and game schedule at UDAUS.org
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​Three years after forming at New Mexico State University, the men’s University Degrees Abroad soccer academy program finally has a dedicated practice and playing field on NMSU’s Las Cruces campus – a major milestone for the players, coaches and support staff.

“To be honest, it feels like we’re now legitimate collegiate soccer program,” said Jeff Thompson, UDA program director.
To celebrate the new soccer pitch – located on the lower deck of NMSU’s intramural fields – UDA will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, May 14. The event, which is free and open to the public, will also include youth activities, food trucks, a 50-50 raffle and a match between UDA and El Paso’s Sun City AFC.

The team worked with NMSU’s Facilities and Services, an outside contractor and a turfgrass expert at NMSU to transform what was once an unremarkable open field into a pristine soccer pitch that closely meets professional standards.

To complete the project, crews installed fencing around the perimeter of the field.
​“It’s more like a true football pitch – we’re 75 yards wide, 110 yards long,” Thompson said.

“We want soccer fans from NMSU, Las Cruces and beyond to come out to our new pitch and experience what UDA is all about, starting with our ribbon-cutting event,” he said.
The festivities will start at 2 p.m. with youth activities. The ribbon-cutting will take place at 3:30 p.m., and the match against Sun City AFC will kick off at 4 p.m.

Free parking will be available at Rentfrow Hall. Visitors should bring chairs and blankets.
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“Las Cruces is a big soccer community, and now is the time to support our team,” said Blake Ordell, UDA associate technical director and co-head coach.

NMSU and UDA teamed up in 2019 to create a developmental men’s soccer program. The program – UDA’s first in the U.S. – has 30 students, all of whom are seeking degrees at NMSU or Doña Ana Community College. ​

Don't miss our opening match on the new pitch at NMSU on May 14th vs Sun City AFC (UPSL)! Kickoff at 4:00 pm.

Opening Day Festivities begin at 2:00 pm including: 

• Ribbon Cutting with NMSU Staff
• 50/50 Raffle - Autographed Jersey - Autographed Soccer Ball
• Food Trucks - Live Radio Broadcast - Youth Halftime Match

We offer a range of different opportunities for students because we know one-size doesn't fit all, so why should a university experience?

It is well documented that presently, US collegiate soccer with its limited season and oversized rosters means little true development opportunities for many talented players, restricting student’s optimal development.

​Across all our Academies, our goals remains the same, to provide the world's best integration of university education and football experience so students can reach their potential in the classroom and on the field. ​

The UDA-US Academy follows the success and demand of the UDA-UK Academies located in Chester and Gloucestershire, England. The UDA-US Academy is open to students from around the world seeking to further their soccer development through multiple pathways, while studying at NMSU. 

Even with a lot of great options, determining what may be a good fit for you isn't always easy. Know that you don't have to do any of this alone. We strongly encourage you to reach out with any burning questions.

​If you're interested in any particular academy, the best way to learn more is to attend a recruitment event. If you're unable to attend in-person, we recommend signing up for an online information session where we will answer all of your burning questions about a UDA Academy.

If a UK Academy specifically interests you, we recommend checking out the degree courses offered at Chester  and Gloucestershire to get an understanding of what program might be the best fit for you.

To top off the visit, the NMSU students visited London while two others attended the West Ham versus Aston Villa game at the Olympic Stadium. 

"I really enjoyed experiencing a day-to-day life as a UDA UoG student-athlete" stated Matteo Cavallo. 

​Head of the UDA UOG Academy, Dave Nicholos, complemented the students from the NMSU Academy stating, “The students were top class in all respects. They were on time, courteous, hard working, and were excellent throughout the trip. A credit to the coaching staff at New Mexico and the UDA organization.”

UDA holds several national recruitment events at NMSU that run Friday to Sunday for prospects wanting to meet the NMSU admissions office, take a campus tour, meet UDA coaching staff and spend the weekend training and playing. Prospects are invited to attend all or parts of the weekend that their schedule permits.
​
​COST: $95

• Covers UDA uniform and meals on campus 
• Accommodation options on campus may be available for those out of state.

Share pictures and videos of your lives. Whether you’re a parent at home or a student at university, your family members want to know what you’re up to. These could be photos of your latest grocery store run, or your favorite hike — either way, they want to see it! ​

It’s no surprise that this could happen at any moment. If you’re too busy to stick to your schedule of calling or video chatting, try and send each other a quick text — it goes a long way! ​

Students: Studying at university is a great opportunity to explore a new location while learning, so make the most of it! Go explore a new park or grab dinner at that place you’ve always wanted to try. If you’re looking for things to do in Chester, here’s a guide for your weekend. 

Parents: This may be one of the few times you get to experience life without an extra person at home. Take this time to pursue things you have wanted to try, even if it is just resting! ​

The University Degrees Abroad men’s soccer academy program at New Mexico State University heads into a pivotal game this weekend.

UDA@NMSU, which remains undefeated in its United Premier Soccer League regular season and plays in the UPSL’s Southwest Conference, will face Arizona’s East Valley United Pro Sunday, Oct. 17, at the High Noon Soccer Complex, 2004 Bruins Lane, in Las Cruces.
​
Kickoff is at 10 a.m. on field No. 1. The match is free and open to the public. 

“We’re still undefeated in league play. We’ve got three wins and a draw. And we have what is arguably the best team in the league coming in this weekend to play on Sunday,” UDA program director Jeff Thompson said.

East Valley United Pro finished second overall last season in the UPSL, a professional soccer development league in the United States that includes more than 300 teams nationally. 

UDA@NMSU started its current season in August and most recently prevailed against Arizona’s Barca Residency Academy USA last week.

“We had almost 400 fans in the stands, and that was a great atmosphere,” Thompson said of the Oct. 8 match. “We ended up winning that game 3 to 2, and we’d love to replicate it for the game that’s coming up on Sunday.” 
A win on Sunday would put UDA@NMSU at the top of the league table, Thompson added.
“That would put us in a really good position to get into the top four for the playoffs, which start the first week in December,” he said. 

NMSU and UDA teamed up in 2019 to create a developmental men’s soccer program. The program – UDA’s first in the U.S. – has 35 students, all of whom are seeking degrees at NMSU or Doña Ana Community College. 
UDA’s mission is to provide student-athletes with an internationally recognized university degree, a developmental soccer experience and an opportunity for multiple pathways in their chosen career within a fully integrated university experience.