Category Archives: SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS

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Sam Huntingdon

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We love to hear about how our former clients are progressing in the USA, so it is great when we receive emails such as we did from Sam Huntingdon who we helped to secure a soccer scholarship to Reinhardt University.

From the sounds of it, Sam is doing very well indeed – with grades averaging A’s and B’s, and his team were ranked 24th in the nation.  Recently, Sam’s team won 1-0 against Bryan college and he  got the winning goal…well done Sam!

If you are a former client, please feel free to get in touch and let us know how you are progressing! E-mail kirstine.hughes@firstpointusa.com

Check out the full article about this game and Sam’s winning goal here

Under the lights on Wednesday evening, the Reinhardt University men’s soccer squad came up with a 1-0 victory over the host Bryan College Lions in Appalachian Athletic Conference play. The contest was a rematch of the 2010 AAC Tournament championship game, which Bryan won by the same score but in overtime.

The teams battled through a scoreless first half until Reinhardt finally broke through in the 60th minute (59:07). Freshman Sam Huntingdon’s goal with an assist by Tom Wilson gave the Eagles a lead they would not relinquish.

The Lions ended with a 16-7 advantage in shots, including 8-1 in the first half and 12-4 on goal. The hosts were awarded eight corner kicks and Reinhardt three.

Zack Schultze was in goal for the winners, playing the full 90 minutes. He recorded his second shutout of the year after making eight saves.

The Eagles move to 7-3-0 overall and 3-2-0 in the AAC while Bryan slips to 7-5-1 overall, including 2-2-1 in conference play. Reinhardt is on the road this Saturday for a non-conference match against the NCAA Division II Young Harris College Mountain Lions. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Young Harris, Ga.

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Craig Hughes

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One of our clearing department staff members, Craig Hughes was last week featured in his local newspaper, The Kilsyth Chronicle about his time at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa.

From the US to Kilsyth….

To his American cohorts he was attending University on  soccer scholarship, but in Kilsythian Craig Hughes’ eyes he was there to study and play football.

Now having recently graduated with a degree in Business Marketing from Grand View University, Iowa, the 24 year old is set to use his experience as captain of the Vikings soccer team to boost Kilsyth Rangers’ Super League Campaign.

The former Kilsyth Academy pupil, who plays as a centre-back, returned home over the summer having won three Regional Championships and reached the final eight in the US National Championships with his side.

Craig, of Coach Road, explained: “I’ve always been good friends with one of the Kilsyth Players, Tony Martin.  He had a word with the coaches and they invited me to come down to training.

After playing in a friendly I had a chat with the manager and he asked me to sign.  I’ve really enjoyed the start to my time at Kilsyth Rangers.”

Craig’s American adventure started in 2006 when Glasgow-based company FirstPoint USA offered to promote him to universities across the Atlantic.

“I always had an interest in studying in the States,” he continued. “I didn’t know much about Iowa, and I was definitely a bit apprehensive about moving away from home into a new situation.

There were a few Scottish guys out there already, one of them was a boy from Cumbernauld, Iain Whiteside.  I got in touch with Iain and he gave me more information about Grand View.  After speaking with him I felt a lot more confident.”

Adjusting to a new culture isn’t easy, but Craig learned to balance his commitments.  He added: “The coaches expected us to behave like full-time professionals, in terms of training every day, watching what we were eating and behaving ourselves off the field.  We travelled a lot so I had to spend time catching up on all the classes I missed.

It took a few weeks to get used to the workload and disciplining myself but I got to grips with it.”

Upon his return, Craig was offered a job with FirstPoint USA, who engineered his move, and is now helping other talented athletes win scholarships.

He added: “It was very beneficial to get my degree and improve as a player but the most beneficial aspect is definitely the life experience.

I had the opportunity to move out of my comfort zone and experience life in a different country.

It helped me mature as a person and become a lot more independent.”

So, which side of the pond does Craig see his future on?

“I’m not sure of my plans for the future right now,” he admitted.  “I love being at home but I also thoroughly enjoyed my four years in America, I will see how things go and figure our what I want to do.”

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Showcase Event 2011

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The buzz in the FirstPoint USA office at the moment is surrounding our upcoming Showcase event at the London Soccerdome (near 02 Arena) in London.

This is a very exciting event for everyone connected with FirstpointUSA as this is the first time we will be inviting all our soccer clients from all over the world to play at one of the best indoor sporting arenas in Europe.

This is a huge opportunity for all our talented players to showcase their talents in front of college coaches from schools all over the United States.

Men’s Soccer is being held on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th December, and Women’s Soccer is to be on Friday 16th December 2011.

Click on the following link to download our : Coach Info Pack 2011

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A Day In The Life…..

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This is an example of a day in the life of a student-athlete attending one of America’s leading academic and sporting institutions, Oakland University.

“My name is Chris Edwards and I am a senior who plays soccer for Oakland University, or should I rephrase that to say I used to play soccer for Oakland University.  The fall was my last season and it definitely upsets me to think my days of being a student-athlete are over.  However, as my college career has come to an end my new career as a professional player begins.

I’d like to spend a few minutes describing a typical day in the shoes of a student-athlete:

05:45

The alarm rings.  It buzzes and buzzes and does not stop.  Although I am just now hearing it, I know it has been going off for at least a whole minute.  I open my eyes, sit up, and turn it off.  Barely awake, I perform my daily morning rituals, change into running clothes and get in the car.  The clock reads 5:45am as I drive in the dark and freezing cold to training.  I make my way to the Stadium, where my destiny awaits.  My team-mates meet me inside.  My coaches arrive just a minute before the worst begins.  I still havn’t spoken.  I just run, run, and run until it all ends.

07:08

I’m back in the car: and the clock reads 7:08am.  I drive home, shower, eat, and change into the typical student-athlete uniform: sweatpants and our black Adidas fleece.  I walk to campus for an 8am class.  I sit at the front, focus and learn.  I realize the importance of my education and I know why I am here.  I try to speak with each professor before or after class to build a bond with them.  I want their support and their understanding.  The classes go well and they end at 12:30.

13:46

I walk home, eat lunch and start some studying for an exam tomorrow.  After studying, it is time for practice.  I get in the car again at 13:46 and drive back to the soccer stadium.  I give my best effort as I want to win, and we want to be Grizzly Pride.  After training I spend some time in the Sports Medicine Centre getting a massage, and then the team meet up with the Sports Psychologist to run through this week’s games.

16:43

Practice is over and I drive to Memorial Stadium, walk to the weight room and get to work.  I’m ready for dinner, so I lift efficiently.  my coach and I discuss my calorie intake for the rest of the week.

I need to gain more power and strength, so a nutritional package is put together for me.  Once lifting is over, my team-mates and I walk across the football field.  It is dinner time.  We eat, have a laugh, and spend time with the other athletes.

18:29

I get back to the house, shower, change and start studying.  My mum calls from home and fills me in on what has been happening with friends and family.  I have been away for so long now that I no longer miss home, but it’s great to catch up.  I know that I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime here at Oakland.

22:17

I get ready for bed.  I set the alarm and try and get some sleep.  After my exam tomorrow the team will meet at the Athletic Department before heading to the airport.  We have a couple of games in California and will be away for a week, so I need to make sure I have all of my course work with me.  Being a full-time athlete is tough enough, and being a full-time student at the same time is extra-challenging.

I wouldn’t change it for the world!“

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Ekwueme’s Two Goals Help Propel Men’s Soccer Past New Haven, 3-0

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Well done to former FirstPoint USA client and Yellow Jackets Sophomore forward Ike Ekwueme (Manchester, England).  He scored two second half goals to lead the American International College men’s soccer team to a 3-0 Northeats-10 victory at the University of New Haven Tuesday afternoon.


The Yellow Jackets improved to 3-4-1 overall and 2-3-0 in the NE-10, while the loss dropped the Chargers’ record to 0-6-2 overall and 0-5-0 in conference play.

Senior forward Thomas Denomme (North Smithfield, R.I.) scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 34th-minute with the assist credited to senior back Barnaba Madol (Manchester, N.H.). It was his team-leading fourth goal of the season and his third in two games.

Denomme setup Ekwueme’s first goal of the game in the 79th-minute and Ekwueme capped buried his second shot of the game 10 minutes later off a feed from sophomore midfielder Miguel Rodriguez-Lapman (Cheshire, Conn.).

Sophomore keeper Jason Ryan (Peabody, Mass.) stopped four shots to earn his third shutout of the season, while senior keeper J.J. Corneau (Wallingford, Conn.) recorded two saves in taking the loss for New Haven.

AIC outshot the Chargers 11-10 in the match and claimed a 3-1 margin in corner kicks.

You can view the article by clicking here

Well done Ike, we wish you all the best for the rest of your time in the USA!

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Patrick O’Neil Named Defensive Player of the Week

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Congratulations to former FirstPoint USA client, Patrick O’Neil who has been named the Sun Conference Defensive Player of the week for the week ending September 19th 2011.

The Northwood University (Florida Campus Seahawks) sophomore goalkeeper had a strong performance against Truett McConnell college (Bears) where he tallied 7 saves while only allowing 1 goal as the Seahawks were forced to play down a man for the entire second half due to a red card on Mayowa Tola-Isaac. The nationally ranked No. 17 Seahawks defeated the Bears by a score of 5-1.

“I am very happy for Pat,” said head coach Ty Brewer. ”Even though he did not have many saves to make, the ones he did were crucial. Also us having to play the entire second half down a man, put more pressure on him to keep us organized. The success of our team depends on players being ready when they are called upon, and Pat did just that!”

The Seahawks overall record improved to 4-0-1 on the year. The Seahawks will return to action on Sept. 25 when they travel to Savannah, Georgia to face the Bees of Savannah College of Art and Design at 3:30 p.m.

You can check out the full article by clicking here.

Well done to Patrick, we wish you continued success in Florida!

 

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New Blog!

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Hello FirstPoint USA fans!

We would love to welcome you to our brand new Blog!

Thank you to all our readers for following our stories, news and features and for getting us to nearly 13,000 views already! We will continue to update our new blog site with as much info as before, but with shiny new features so watch this space!

 

 

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