Earlier in the year, we posted on our blog that FirstPoint USA client, Mitchell Hart, was to take part in the London Marathon, raising money for the charity Shelter.
We’re pleased to update that Mitchell raised a whopping £2000 for the charity, running the 26 miles in under 4 and a half hours!
Well done Mitchell, from everyone at FirstPoint USA!
Earlier in the week, we caught up with Alex Brown, who last year secured a soccer scholarship to the University of West Alabama through FirstPoint USA. We asked Alex to reflect on his experiences, 1 year in:
1. What originally made you choose FirstPoint USA, and are you still glad that you did?
I originally chose first point USA as I was recommended it by a friend and thought I would give it a shot. Turns out it was a great choice and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
2. What has been the highlight of your first year at UWA?
The highlight of my first year was on October 28th 2012. It was the last game of the season and also my birthday. My parents had flown over to surprise me and were watching the game. It was 1-1 at full time and we headed into overtime. I ended up scoring a lucky rebound off my back to win the game, I couldn’t believe my luck!
3. What has been the hardest adjustment you’ve had to make since moving to the US?
Trying to balance school work with training and traveling for matches was hard at first. I found that if you don’t think you have enough time you can make enough time regardless of how busy you are.
4. What do you miss the most about the
I miss my mums cooking the most! Nothing beats it!
5. How often did you get to go back to the UK in your first year?
In my first year, I came home at Christmas for four weeks and now I’m home for may June and July. It’s a welcomed break before I’m back in August for the start of pre season.
6. Have you had any chances to get a job alongside your studies and athletic training?
I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in some coaching with the local children at high schools and various soccer camps which has been a really good experience!
7. How do you think the focus on athletics differs in the USA when compared to UK universities?
There is a huge difference! In the USA, college athletes are treated differently to normal students. Training everyday with 2 games a week is something you won’t see in the UK at a university. Having specialist athletic trainers at every session who offer any treatment before and after games and sessions is almost like being professional. They money spent on top of the range facilities is incredible and makes the whole experience even better!
8. Can you describe a typical day in the life of a soccer student-athlete at UWA?
During season:
Wake up 7:30am eat breakfast
Attend class between 8:00 and 3:00
Lunch 12:30
Training 3:30-5:30/6
Treatment in the training room 5:30-6:30
Dinner 6:45
Homework 8-10
Sleep 10:30
9. What advice would you have for anyone considering a soccer scholarship to the USA?
Anyone who wants to carry on playing football 24/7 and earning a degree at the same time, it’s a perfect opportunity. But, it’s not always easy and there will be times that are hard, especially being away from home for long periods of time. You will have to be mentally strong and pull through!
10. What are your plans for the summer break now that you’re home?
Having recently got home in England, I’m planning on spending as much time with family and friends. Working and earning some money ready for next semester and sticking to my fitness plan so I’m 100% ready for the start of pre-season!
FirstPoint USA would like to thank Alex for taking the time to answer these questions, and wish him the best of luck in his future with soccer!
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a scholarship to study & play in the USA, just like Alex? Apply now for your assessment!
Thanks to TravelAndLeisure.com for this week’s top 10: america’s most sports-crazed cities. You can read the full list here.
1. Philadelphia
Heartaches over the years may have only deepened the fans’ commitment. To mingle (or commiserate) with locals—who, alas, don’t rank well in the survey for being athletic themselves—check out a Chickie’s and Pete’s sports bar, and try the famous “crab fries.” Or, make like Rocky, and run up and down the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
2. Boston
With seven championships in 11 years—from the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox—Boston fans have plenty to be proud of. Not that they would gloat—of course not—but Boston locals are also pretty brainy and tech-savvy, according to voters. Sports tourists can explore Fenway (which celebrates its centennial in 2012), or follow in the footsteps of Boston champions by doing a Duck Tour, which every big team has done after bringing home a title since 2000.
3. Chicago
Wrigley attracts plenty of stadium purists—you can take insider tours around the field, dugout, and press box—and it may have helped the city score at the top for its cool local architecture. Another way to experience the sports scene is to chow down: at Michael Jordan’s Steak House, Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, or on the more casual end, Pequod’s Pizza. The latter is covered with Blackhawks memorabilia and is an excellent place to sample the city’s top-ranked pizza.
4. New Orleans
“Who dat?” indeed: the city that won the survey for civic pride, wild weekends, and live music knows how to shower affection upon its beloved Saints. If you’re in town on a game day, head to Champions Square, just outside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, for music, local cuisine, and the chance to embrace another great spectator sport: people-watching, another survey category that New Orleans has won yet again.
5. Devner
Fans in the Mile High City may harbor fantasies of being called in from the stands to help Tim Tebow win the game. It wouldn’t be a bad idea: the locals rank as the most athletic in the nation, according to voters.
6.Kansas City
The survey’s champion for affordability has a serious case of basketball fever: every March, Kansas City hosts more college basketball games than anywhere else in the country. It’s also a great destination for fans of sports museums—notably, the interactive College Basketball Experience and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Just don’t miss a chance for tailgating-style cuisine: this year, Kansas City also won the barbecue category.
7. San Juan
This is the only city in the survey where the word football usually means soccer, but San Juan sports fans also have passion for boxing and baseball. It has hosted the Caribbean World Series nine times. Voters also gave the city high marks for its hotel options—the Ritz-Carlton’s casino is a popular place to watch games—but you can get year-round baseball magic, as well as margaritas, at Old San Juan’s Lupi’s, owned by former Yankee Eduardo Figueroa.
8. Baltimore
Camden Yards—two blocks from Babe Ruth’s birthplace, and the first of the new traditionalist stadiums—celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, and it’s a must-stop for baseball stadium lovers. For football-related thrills, look for Ravens refueling along Water Street at spots such as the Havana Club and the local Ruth’s Chris.
9. Dallas/Fort Worth
While still heartsick over the Rangers’ World Series loss, Dallas fans do have the NBA champion Mavericks—and a love-hate relationship with the over-the-top Dallas Cowboys Stadium. But you don’t need stadium tickets to hang with fans: at downtown’s Victory Park, you can watch the local teams’ away games on moving TV screens. It may be the best entertainment in town, according to voters, who ranked Big D near the bottom for theater.
10. Providence, RI
Rhode Island sports enthusiasts are often happy to hop a train to support Boston teams. But if you’re staying local, the Dunkin’ Donuts Center—home of the beloved Providence College Friars basketball—is well situated near some of the city’s highly ranked micropubs, such as Trinity Brewhouse and Union Station. Locals also love the AAA baseball Pawtucket Red Sox, whose stadium was home to the longest game in professional baseball history (33 innings).
Click here to read ‘The top 20 Sports-Crazed Cities’
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a scholarship to study & play in the USA? Apply now for your assessment!
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a scholarship to study & play in the USA? Apply now for your assessment!
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a golf scholarship to study in the USA? Apply now for your assessment!
Congratulations to Catherine Thomson, who has secured a soccer scholarship through FirstPoint USA to Delta State University!
And Delta State are clearly excited about having the new addition to their team:
The Delta State University Lady Statesmen soccer program and head coach Paul Babba have announced the addition of Catherine Thomson to the 2013 list of signees. A native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Thomson played for Banchory Academy in high school, captaining the team to the Aberdeenshire Senior Girls Cup in 2012, scoring four goals in a 5-1 victory in the final. Thomson played club for Aberdeen Ladies FC in 2012. Prior to that, she played for Deeside Girls FC. Thomson won the Golden Boot award at Deeside Girls FC for scoring 31 goals in a season. Thomson also helped the Deeside Girls FC to the Princes Trust Cup with a goal in a 2-0 win in the final. At Banchory Academy, Thomson also ran track and field and was the high school champion in the 100, 200, and 800-meter races, as well as the long jump. Thomson joins a list of now six signees, joining five that signed on national signing day in February. The Lady Statesmen will officially kick off the third season under Babba on September 5th at Mississippi College.
- Read more on the Delta State website
Well done, Catherine! FirstPoint USA wish you the best of luck in the USA.
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a scholarship to study & play in the USA? Apply now for your assessment!
Did you know we are currently holding female soccer assessments throughout the country? Register now and you could be on your way to the USA!
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a scholarship to study in the USA while playing your favourite sport? Apply now for your assessment!
Check out this interactive-infographic, detailing the top 50 colleges in the USA. Click to explore!
Do you think you have what it takes to secure a scholarship to study in the USA while playing your favourite sport? Apply now for your assessment!
USA Today College (@USATODAYcollege )
USA Today is a great website to keep you up to date with going on State-side and internationally. USA Today College provides regularly updated articles about student life in the USA, ranging from campus-life to college sports.
British Embassy (@UKinUSA )
There is always the chance of an emergency while you are in the USA. The British Embassy (or your country’s embassy, if not from the UK) sends out information about national security and the state of affairs in the USA, and many nations.
NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA (@NCAA, @Play_NAIA, @njcaa )
If you are going to the USA to become a student-athlete, make sure you’re following your sporting governing body (or even better, all of them) to keep up-to-date with new rules and regulations that are brought into affect, and to stay updated with news and events in all sports.
Huffington Post College (@HuffPostCollege )
Similar to USA Today College, The Huffington Post is a great online source of student-related current affairs.
Study Abroad 101 (@StudyAbroad101 )
Abroad101 bills itself as the first and largest study abroad review website. It features “Global Ambassadors,” real students studying abroad who blog and give great advice on how to make the most of the experience.
Your College/Team
Most universities and colleges now use twitter as a way of putting out real-time updates for events, such as campus closures, activities available, and on-campus offers. Similarly, it’s wise to follow your sports team and/or any clubs you are affiliated with.
FirstPoint USA (@firstpointusa1)
If you aren’t already, make sure you follow us on twitter to see regular tips and advice about college life, from both previous athletes, and those currently in the USA on scholarship. As well as providing advice for potential student-athletes in the run-up to heading out to the USA, we provide information for each stage of your college career!
