From Sam Hawkins, courtesy of David Miller The Yellow Jacket’s men’s soccer team is back in action this season and they have one of its captains from last year returning to the roster. After spending the summer getting experience playing semi-pro and professional, Samuel Hawkins has returned to Waynesburg University.
Over the summer Hawkins traveled out west to Colorado, playing for the USL 2 team Colorado International Soccer Academy (CISA).
“I got to train and play with a lot of high-quality players,” Hawkins said. “Ranging from D1 to the NAIA… professional and ex-professional players as well as in the league,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins talked about while playing for CISA Hawkins got to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“I greatly enjoyed the trips we took,” he said. “It was a change in scenery from the east coast, but I enjoyed it.”
Hawkins had multiple conversations with Waynesburg University men’s soccer head coach Trey Lunger over the 2023 spring semester and this past summer. Hawkins explained that he had been on the fence about coming back for another year and that Lunger kept the door open.
“I am extremely grateful for coach Lunger keeping the option open for me and am so excited to continue working with the guys on the team,” Hawkins said.
In early July Hawkins was set to sign a contract overseas with a professional team in Croatia, however, Hawkins was not able to get his passport.
“I wasn’t able to get my passport due to not having the correct version of my birth certificate,” Hawkins said. “After this I jumped at the opportunity of being able to play another year here at Waynesburg.”
Hawkins said how he felt towards coming back to Waynesburg and what he thinks this team is capable to do this year.
“I’m very excited for the rest of the season and truly believe we have the potential to make a deep run into the playoffs this year,” Hawkins said.
Waynesburg’s men’s soccer team is 2-0 two games into the season and Hawkins has received Waynesburg University male athlete of the week for his one goal, one assist performance in the season opener.