Q: Favorite current or past players/favorite team you support? 
A: My favorite team is Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs), who I have supported from 8 years old.  At the time, they were one of/if not, the best teams in England, incredible players, and exciting to watch.....These days they are struggling to recreate those times, but to be honest, it could be a lot worse, they could be Blackburn Rovers!!  
Without doubt my all-time favorite player has to be Paul Gascoigne, one of the most skillful and creative players ever.  He could dribble past players for fun, change a game in an instant, and was an absolute character off the pitch....I idolized his ability and like to think I molded myself on Paul Gascoigne, albeit perhaps in some ways more than others.  

Q: Why Stetson?  
A: There were a few key reasons - The combination of being an NCAA D1 school but with an outstanding academic reputation, meant not only being challenged on the pitch, but also off it!  The highly underestimated value of having a small Faculty/Student ratio (especially as an international student), allowed me to really flourish in the classroom, developing relationships with my teachers, and preparing me for life beyond college.  I continue to follow Stetson & Stetson Soccer via social media and am immensely proud of all their achievements as players, students, coaches/professors/employees, and as a university!

Q: Hardest and best parts about being a Division I Athlete?
A: Without doubt the hardest part of being a D1 athlete is resilience, whether it's losing a game, not being selected in the starting lineup, balancing soccer and academic commitments, all while adapting to a new environment.  But stemming from all that was the support of my teammates and their families, the banter (shocking at times), comradery within the squad, and the brotherhood/lifelong friendships that came from it.  I feel incredibly lucky and want to thank them all!!

Q: What is your favorite Stetson Men's Soccer memory? 
A: There are so many fond memories, some repeatable, some not, but here are 4: 

5. 1. Beating FAU 2-1 with 9 players deep into 2OT in Florida's midday Sun, not only was a jubilant experience, but characterizes the core foundations of Stetson's Soccer programme i.e. Grit, Determination, Gumption, Overcoming Adversity, Tenacity, and Teamwork (for the record, an Osborne assist, Zarac header, and a Squad/Coaching Staff effort/performance!), 
   2. The everyday training was brutal at times, extremely competitive, but truly character building and really bonded us as a team, developing us from boys to men with many laughs along the way! 
   3. Being subbed into a game after warming up for about 35mins, and the delirious/excited me ran on to the pitch still with my Pinny on - Believe it or not, I haven't lived that one down 18yrs later, 
   4. The look on Coach Murphy's face, when on an away trip and out for a team meal, we told the restaurant it was his birthday.  His singing & excitement, followed by complete shock when the birthday cake was delivered to him (of course it wasn't his birthday), followed by the realization that was another $8 on to the Food bill was Priceless!!!!

Q: How has your career progressed since Stetson? How did the Men's Soccer Program prepare you for the workforce?
A:Shortly after Stetson where I completed my Undergraduate Business Management degree and MBA, I moved back to England - sadly during a recession.  However, it was the characteristics instilled within me from Stetson, to seek out and develop a career as a European Gas Trader for Shell, here in London, while earning further qualifications.  It's a fascinating role, fast paced, emotional, dynamic, incorporates global economic/political/social developments, and demands the exact traits which are the foundation of the Stetson Soccer programme.  Time management, the ability to cope under pressure, resilience, teamwork, communication, compliance, self-discipline, and many others. I must credit both Coach Sean Murphy, and my incredible teammates 2001-5 for helping me become who I am today!   

Q:What recommendations would you give to graduating members of the program on how to choose a career and how to find a job?  
A:The 4 critical recommendations would be: 

7. 1. Internships - From a Networking perspective, determining whether the role/career path is one you imagined/want to progress, and understanding the size of company you want to work for.  The answers to these questions and many others are invaluable, 
   2. Make use of the Stetson Soccer Network!  There are former players in Finance, Insurance, Entrepreneurs, Food & Beverage, Coaching, Health, Sales, etc. -> Practically every industry, either reach out to someone directly, or ask the coaches to reach out, and I like to think former players will help in whatever capacity they can, either a phone call, job shadow, etc., 
   3. In my mind, arguably the most important is Find the Industry You Love - Practically every company has accounting, sales, marketing, etc, so choose the industry you have a passion for, then narrow down to companies and the roles you are interested in 
   4. At any point you feel stuck in a job, remember retirement age is around 65, so should a complete career change seem a waste of 1/3/5/10 yrs from graduation, it's nothing in the grand scheme of things, so Go For it! 

Q: What advice would you give to current and future members of the Stetson Men's Soccer Program?  
A:I can honestly say my time at Stetson University, was the best times of my life.  If you are in practice or on a training run, give it all you have, set the right examples, and demand this from others.  The same in the classroom, help teammates, ask questions and regularly touch base with your teachers.  Stetson University is a welcoming all-inclusive family, the people who work at Stetson, fellow students, and the support networks in place, create a culturally diverse, dynamic, and unparalleled experience.  When outside of the soccer programme, explore the other facets of the university via cultural credits and on campus societies.  I proudly endorse and recommend Stetson to both Student athletes and to parents of prospective students as an environment that develops, supports, and prepares individuals for life after college from an educational perspective while emphasizing positive role model characteristics.  Work Hard/Play Hard, adhere to the above, but be present and remember to also enjoy the college experience, letting your hair down and create memories outside of soccer/classroom as well!

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS.

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