The El Paso kids are beginning to grow up.
After seeing successful years within the El Paso Locomotive Academy, the first wave of players is looking towards the future and the next step of their careers. For many from the Academy, the next step is to attend college with the hopes of continuing their soccer careers while earning a degree.
For Julian Maud, that is the plan after being contacted by the Head Coach of the Men’s Soccer Team at the University of Texas at Tyler, Kenny Jones. With an offer in hand, Julian becomes one of the first El Paso Locomotive Youth Soccer Academy players to commit to a college following their time with the club.
“It’s a very good feeling,” said Maud. “I loved the campus and the team. I felt it was the right place to further my education. I always wanted to play college soccer and I am very excited to start this new chapter in my life.”
“We are extremely excited to have Julian in our program,” commented Jones. “I think he will bring great energy and enthusiasm every day on and off the field. I think he will take advantage of his opportunity to grow as a player and person within our program.”
It wasn’t an easy task to get to this point, however. To grow as a soccer player, it takes a lot of dedication and hard work. As part of the Locomotive Academy, Maud would spend weekends playing in competitive games both locally and out of state. He would wake up early to attend practice every morning, learning from his coaches and teammates, before heading to school to attend class.
Pursuing a career in professional soccer while attending classes in either high school or college takes up most of your free time. Yet, Julian sacrificed it all and poured his heart and soul into the sport and his academic career to earn the commitment to UT Tyler. Reaching this level is a direct result of Maud’s hardworking passion and determination to break into a career in soccer.
“Every training I had alone and with El Paso Locomotive and my high school teams has helped me reach this goal,” said Maud.
“I’m very proud of Julian’s achievements,” commented Maud’s mother, Silvina. “I’m very proud of his perseverance, passion, and daily dedication to soccer. When he was contacted by the UT Tyler coach and received the offer, he couldn’t believe it. UT Tyler is a public and prestigious school, and he did not have any doubt that this is the place to continue studying and playing college soccer.”
Maud joined the El Paso Locomotive Academy on a trip to UT Tyler for a friendly match against the school’s Men’s Soccer Team. While playing the Patriots, Maud became impressed with the campus, the town, and the team they just played. When he came back to El Paso, Silvina commented on how excited the young man was about the opportunity he just had to go to Tyler and play.
Julian Maud is not the only player to be seeing success following their dedication and passion in the El Paso Locomotive Academy ranks. Felix Casas spoke at length with the Head Coach from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and has committed to the Rattlers and more players are expected to commit to various universities across Texas.
It’s a sign of the level of success and hard work that extends from the Locomotive First Team all the way down to the youngest ages in the Locomotive Academy and Youth Soccer Clubs.
“Coming from the Locomotive Academy team, I know that we are going to get players with high soccer IQs, that are competitive, and very skilled and disciplined,” commented UT Tyler’s Soccer Head Coach, Kenny Jones. “The staff at Locomotive are obviously committed to a high standard of shaping and preparing their players for the next steps in their soccer careers.”
The first class of the El Paso Locomotive FC Youth Academy, including Julian Maud, is beginning to take their next steps in their professional soccer career.
Everyone at El Paso Locomotive is looking forward to seeing what’s next in their careers when they make the jump to the collegiate level in the Fall.
Tag(s): News
