How to avoid the Freshman 15

October 10, 2012 by Kirstine

The Freshman 15 refers to the 15 pounds students supposedly gain in their first year of college.

Although, our athletes visiting the US will be keeping fit with their sport, it is important to look after your fitness in and out of the classroom.

These tips should help you alongside your training to ensure you are at the top of your game!

1. Eat Breakfast

The first meal of the day is the most important, as it sets you up for the day ahead by giving you the initial energy you need! You may be up at 5 or 6am for training before class – but you will soon burn out if you are not ensuring you are eating correctly from the start of your day. Eating breakfast also helps to combat the cravings for snacks before lunchtime!

2. Drink plenty of water and avoid soda and alcohol!

Now that you are at a US College, studying and training hard with the team – often in 80 degree heat – you must remember to keep hydrated! Always carry a water bottle with you and fill it regularly at water coolers at college. You need water to keep your brain active in class, which can be challenging after a hard morning work-out! Be wary of soda’s and alcoholic beverages – even the diet varieties – which can often be loaded with sugar and calories!

3. Sleep!

Getting a good nights sleep really does keep you healthy! If you are new to the college, you’ll probably be experiencing a lot of changes, even the time difference may be a challenge at first. Don’t be tempted to stay up all night to catch up on studies or socialize with friends – you need your sleep to be on top of your game!

4. Be adventurous

You are in a new and exciting country – try new things! Be especially adventurous with your food. Although America may have a reputation for being a junk food haven – the Americans know how to do great, fresh and healthy food. Try new offerings on menus, especially seafood, and you will not only be eating right but you will be expanding your culinary tastes! Do not be weighed down by junk food!

5. Avoid the late night snacks!

Even if you are training for 3 hours a day – you should still be conscious of what you are eating. If you are studying late in the library, do not be tempted with those late night snacks – all they will do is lie in your stomach! Be prepared, and have healthy snacks like nuts and fruit, in your backpack for nibbling on throughout the day when you are too busy to stop for proper meals.

Check out these tips from students at Columbia University:

Stick to these simple tips and you will be at your peak fitness and find you will have more energy for the field and can concentrate better in the classroom!

Most Expensive College Football Tickets

July 12, 2012 by Rosie

American football is one of the highest attended college sports in the USA. CNBC and TiqIQ have compiled a list of the most expensive ticket prices for some American college football games in 2011:

1. LSU at Oregon

Avg. Ticket List Price: $560.23
Date: Sept. 3

2. Alabama at Auburn

Avg. Ticket List Price: $514.96
Date: Nov. 26

3. USC at Notre Dame

Avg. Ticket List Price: $509.48
Date: Oct. 22

4. Texas vs. Oklahoma

Avg. Ticket List Price: $464.04
Date: Oct. 8

5. Ohio State at Nebraska

Avg. Ticket List Price: $462.97
Date: Oct. 8

6. Texas A&M vs. Arkansas

Avg. Ticket List Price: $461.19
Date: Oct. 1

7. Notre Dame vs. Michigan

Avg. List Ticket Price: $457.07
Date: Sept. 10

8. Georgia vs. Boise State

Avg. List Ticket Price: $437.91
Date: Sept. 3

9. Florida vs. Georgia

Avg. List Ticket Price: $423.83
Date: Sept. Oct. 29

10. LSU at Alabama

Avg. List Ticket Price: $420.93
Date: Nov. 5

Greg Dawson

July 6, 2012 by Rosie

Greg Dawson is a former FirstPoint USA Soccer Scholarship recipient, who is nearing the end of his 4 year academic and athletic lifestyle in Maine.

We caught up with Greg this week to reflect on his time in the USA, his plans after finishing University and what advice he has for any other talented young athletes considering a Sports Scholarship to the USA.

Can you tell us a bit about your sporting background pre-scholarship?

I was predominantly involved with athletics in school and I was pushing my way up at the top of the national rankings for long, triple and high jump as an U17, so I thought my future might lie in that, but I loved football too much to not play. I played on an extremely talented school team at Madras college and we were always winning our league and cup competitions, the highlight of which was getting to play at Hampden Park in Scottish senior cup final in 2007. My club team was also very talented, which had 99% of the same players on.

How did you find out about FirstPoint and what made you apply for a scholarship?

I was unsure what to do after school, didn’t want to quit sport and just go to uni and be a normal student, so someone told me I should look into scholarship options. So I Google’d it and applied to FirstPoint. I had a trail game and an interview which went well and so I was offered to be taken on by FirstPoint.

Were you happy with the offers you received? what made you choose Maine?

In total I think I received about a dozen offers to small NAIA schools all over the country. The communications with the Maine’s coaches left me feeling like that was the right decision for me … and in July I committed and booked my flights to the states in August, for preseason to start in mid august, it all was so fast once it got sorted.

Are you still glad you chose Maine?

Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have experienced California or Florida, but the people in Maine and genuinely the nicest people I have ever met, and I wouldn’t change it if I did it again.

How did you find the FirstPoint process?

I thought it was a solid well organized process which guided me through as best as I could have asked for, as the American system is totally different that anything I’d experienced before. The only problem I had was when I wanted to transfer schools after two years, FirstPoint were a little reluctant to help me with that process, so I had to do most of it on my own, but once you are in the American system it is easy to learn how it works and what you are expected to do to progress.

How has your life changed since you moved to the US?

It has changed hugely, I never thought that I would be pursuing a career on that side of the world, but I have made some priceless contacts in my time which I hope will get me the foot in the door to the next level that anyone would be lucky enough to have.

What stage are you currently at in your studies?

I was due to graduate this past may, but due to my 2nd year transfer to a NCAA school, I lost some credits, so I just have one more semester to go back to before I graduate in December. but I am lucky enough to be involved with my team as an assistant coach this fall.

What have you achieved since you moved to the USA?

In terms of playing, I have improved vastly since I was a 17 year old school boy. I have matured physically and as a person, having to be away on the other side of the world straight off the bat from school makes you mature quick in the 4 years. I have had 4 All conference selections, twice in the NAIA Sunrise Conference – for the University of Maine, and Twice in NCAA North Atlantic Conference for Husson University. I have scored over 40 goals and had over 20 assists in my 4 years, which included an injury riddled year where I spent most of my time in the Training room. I also was lucky enough to win my conference and take first place in the playoff and advance to a trip to the NCAA D3 National Tournament, which is something I’ll never forget… and last summer I got the opportunity (through my coaches connections) to be a summer soccer academy coach at Dartmouth College, which was an unreal experience.

How have you managed your time between academics/athletics/social life?

I think I have nailed it spot on, I have done well in my degree Major which is no Business Administration-Sports Management (which is a degree that I could not have achieved in Scotland), and I have the best 4 years of my life in College.

How does the focus and popularity of athletics differ in the US to in the UK?

It is a different class, the American attitude towards athletics is far superior to the UK, the facility, the equipment, the medical and training staff… and the attitudes of the athletes, everyone knows in America that if you want to have a future in sports, that you have to go to college to play first and prove yourself.

What are the facilities like at Maine?

My first two seasons at Maine Machias, the facilities were less than what I was expecting, a little poor to be honest, that’s one of the reasons I left, but the last two years at Husson University I have been lucky to have an incredible athletic training department, play on perfect astro-turf pitches and immaculate grass fields.

What are your plans when you finish Uni?

I’m not sure at the moment, I am currently trying to find a way that I can have an extension added to my visa so that I can stay in the states for an extended period of time, I’d like to stay to be involved in sports over there as it far superior to sport in the UK.

Do you have any advice for those considering a sports scholarship?

DO IT!.. best decision you’ll make, if I could do it again, I would.

Would you recommend FirstPoint USA?

I would recommend first point definitely, they know what they are doing and they have proven that they can do it time and time again, producing success stories such as mine.

Are you ready to take the next step towards securing a soccer scholarship like Greg? Apply here for your assessment!

Wimbledon Prize Fund

July 2, 2012 by Rosie

Ever wondered how much the Wimbledon players get paid? Check below to find out!

2012 Wimbledon Men’s and Women’s Singles Prize Money
Winner: £1.15 million
Runner-up: £570,000
Semifinalists: £287,500
Quarterfinalists: £145,000
Round-of-16 losers: £75,000
Round-of-32 losers: £38,875
Round-of-64 losers: £23,125
First-round losers: £14,500

2012 Wimbledon Men’s and Women’s Doubles Prize Money (per pair)
Winners: £260,000
Runners-up: £130,000
Semifinalists: £65,000
Quarterfinalists: £32,500
Round-of-16 losers: £16,650
Round-of-32 losers: £9,350
First-round losers: £5,450

2012 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Prize Money (per pair)
Winners: £92,000
Runners-up: £46,000
Semifinalists: £23,000
Quarterfinalists: £10,500
Round-of-16 losers: £5,200
Round-of-32 losers: £2,600

Hollie Hits the Headlines

June 29, 2012 by Rosie

Congratulations to Hollie Dieudonne, who has been featured in the Grimsby Telegraph for securing her soccer scholarship to Bunker Hill Community College, through FirstPoint USA!

hollie dieudonne