BREAKERS ACADEMY MIDFIELDER MEEHAN COMMITS TO STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Making a college decision is not an easy task, especially when a student athlete is recruited by institutions such as Stanford University, Princeton, USF and equally prestigious schools. Slater Meehan, a team captain and technical midfielder for the Santa Cruz Breakers Academy finally came to a conclusion in his college choice. The strong, talented player has verbally committed to Stanford University and will look at making an impact on the program as a freshmen. Meehan is a great role model for the Santa Cruz Soccer Community, as he is an excellent soccer player, an amazing student and most importantly a very humble and well rounded individual. Meehan has also been invited to train with the Argentinean powerhouse club Estudiantes de la Plata. Meehan trained there for about 3 weeks this past summer. Below, is what Meehan says about his experience with Breakers:
"With Christmas time approaching, light was scarce for practice. My U-12 Breakers coach Mike Martin purchased Home Depot construction lights to give us extra training time, where we would use a twenty-by-twenty yard area for two hours of rhythmic touches. While our competition took days off, we worked towards the next tournament with passion and determination. From one Breakers coach to the next, each possesses the dedication and intent to create the best possible environment for player development.
Playing high-level soccer for the Breakers is about sacrifice. It is about hours spent behind the house juggling until dark or until the call for dinner. Each wall, sidewalk curb, or garage door is a surface to knock the ball against and practice one-touches. The mental strength to find time for extra technical work, fitness training, or school assignments is a necessity to play at the highest level.
Two of my former teammates, Jovani DelaCruz and David Kamau, lived over an hour away from practice and game fields, yet they were the first players to arrive every day. Currently on the Academy, my teammates travel from as far as Pleasanton and Carmel, and consistently give one hundred percent effort. The personal drive within Breakers athletes to never be complacent, to work on improving weaknesses, and focus positively on the future is the driving force behind the program.
I have progressed from the beginning stages of the organization to the U-18 Development Academy team. Breakers has given me the access and tools to play at the collegiate level, a lifelong goal that I am proud to have met. I will be forever thankful to the personnel behind the scenes with Breakers administration, the coaches, managers, teammates, and most importantly, my family. It is an honor to be part of the Breakers Club."
