UDA Develops Greater Opportunity For College Bound Students With U.S. Based Academy

UDA is pleased to announce the launch of their US academy in Las Cruces, New Mexico starting in the fall of 2020.  The development of the US based academy follows the success and demand at the UDA-UK academy in Chester England, where students can earn a degree while playing year round in a professional coaching environment. 

​UDA has recognized the need for students in the USA who would like to pursue similar opportunities of year round development as they pursue an academic degree within a fully integrated student experience.  Students can now choose the three year degree track at the UDA-UK program in England when they graduate from high school or enter into the UDA-US academy at New Mexico State University.

​The UDA-US Academy offers students at different points in their academic and/or athletic career, multiple development opportunities that fits their needs.

PATHWAYS

​Students can begin and complete their four year degree program at New Mexico State University or use the first year as a “Gap Year With Purpose”™, gaining general education credits to seek other opportunities within the collegiate system. The option to transfer to the UDA-UK academy at the University of Chester in England is also available.

Jeff Thompson , Director of UDA who will oversee the Las Cruces project stated, “ What we know is there are many students that like the concept of year round playing, and that the traditional route of collegiate soccer has a different focus through its limits and regulations."

Thompson continued, “ This program is designed to offer a different opportunity for college bound student/athletes and has a different focus than collegiate soccer. A total focus on development through year round training and playing. Our season will start in March and finish in November, with a month of preseason in February. We play a schedule of 28 games per year in a balanced training and game ratio for optimal player development”

Thompson states, “In addition, we have developed a "coach in residency" program where coaches from the UK and USA will deliver coaching sessions at different times throughout the year. This will help our players develop and offer greater exposure to different coaching styles."

Students can choose to attend Dona Ana Community College or New Mexico State University as they pursue their academic career when they enter the UDA academy.

Thompson concludes, "As we see it, the ultimate goal is to provide multiple pathways for student/athletes to pursue their goals in the classroom and on the pitch. Changing lives through Education has been, and will always be our ultimate goal."