Pride Alumni Playing in College

Class of 2009
Brian Delong: Ohio Christian University
Michael Meadows: Shawnee State University
Joe Ramsey: Ohio Christian University
Aric Skalican: Tiffin University
Blake Steinbrink: Ohio Christian University

Class of 2008

Derrick Ising: Ohio Christian University
Stuart Hostetter: Ohio Christian University
Taylor Ryan: Ohio Christian University

Class of 2007

Adam Hoyt:  Mount Union College
Ryan Loe : Muskingum College
Jacob Morris: Muskingum College

Luca Scarmack:  Baldwin-Wallace College

What has been your college soccer experience and what advice can you give to current  Pride players who want to play in college?

College soccer is a lot different than High School or club. The competition is much better; the players are bigger, stronger, and faster, and everyone on the field has a deep love for the game. If you want to play at any level of college soccer you have to mentally and physically get ready before hand. Every player is expected to run a full 90 minutes or more as hard as they can, whether you start or sit the bench. Mentally, you have to become tough, and devote yourself to your team, and the game. Playing in college has been a wonderful experience and is worth all the pain and dedication. I have formed strong friendships with everyone on my team and camaraderie you can’t find many other places. It’s a great time traveling state to state playing opponents from all areas of the country and from that alone I have learned a lot more skills and styles of soccer. I would recommend everyone to strive to play at a higher level once they graduate and go to college. I can’t explain the feeling when you step onto the field with a bunch of guys who you could all consider your brothers, playing an opponent of higher or equal skill, and facing off against them toe to toe. The thrill, blood, fights, sweat, praise, tears, screams, joys, victories, losses, friendships, love… its college soccer baby, the greatest sport on the planet. 

Stuart G. Hostetter
Ohio Christian

“Playing soccer in college is a great experience. The team is more like a family and the players push each other to be the best on and off the field. Making it to this point in my career required hard work and dedication to the game. We all play because we love the game of soccer and in college you play with a group of players who all share that same passion and work hard to achieve team goals. Preseason was tough, and earning a spot on varsity as a freshman was equally challenging, but the success that I and the team have experienced is all worth it in the end. Knowing you left everything on the field win or lose is what it's about. Coach always teaches us to understand our mistakes and not do them again. Always respect your opponent, but never fear them. Keep on enjoying the beautiful game and good luck to you in future season.”

Adam Hoyt
Mount Union

Becoming a college athlete requires an enormous amount of desire and drive. You have to want to play and want to be the best on the field. You need to make sure you are always working to be a better player so that you can excel over your opponents. Also, do not just wait for colleges to call you. College coaches cannot look everywhere so contact coaches and show them your interest in their program. College soccer plays at a much higher-level then high school and even club. Every player on the team has great skill and is expected to contribute something to the team. I love college soccer because everyone on the team wants to work and wants to achieve success. Also, you have to make sure you understand the concept that this a team sport because your team will suffer the consequences if one player tries to do all the work.

Luca Scarmack
Baldwin Wallace

 “First of all, it takes a lot work. You also have to love soccer and want to continue to play because if your heart isn't in it then that might not be the right thing for you. It is definitely a great experience already. I go to Muskingum College and I have only been here for a couple of months and I have already made great relationships with most of the guys on the team. You will build great friendships and have some great and memorable times with your teammates. The one thing that is the hardest is the speed of the game. It is such a big transition and you don’t really know how fast it is going to be until you get there and see for yourself. You have to go out everyday and work on your touch and technique to improve and that will help you when you get to school. You can't just show up and do nothing and expect to make the team but in the end when you make the team and you finally realize you are a college soccer player it is a great feeling and definitely worth all of the hard work you put in.”

Jacob Morris
Muskingum