Parker Malman '17 Recruiting Profile

My name is Parker Malman and I will be a 2017 graduate from Fort Lauderdale High School. I play goalkeeper and would like to play collegiate soccer after high school.

It was the summer before my high school freshman year and life as I knew it was about to change.

My travel soccer team, with me as their goalie, had just finished a less than spectacular season. At times I was frustrated with my team and teammates, but it was my job to go out there and give 100 percent. My dad taught me that, the 100 percent thing. He drove me to practices, championed me from the sidelines and taught me how to fight for what I wanted.

“Stand out from the goal Parker” or “don’t look back, they may be gaining on you,” my pops would scream out at every game and practice.

I would do as he commanded and usually I would take it one step further. Like my dad, I was a fighter. He had been a varsity baseball player in college. In addition, he represented professional athletes and he fought with his heart and soul for clients in his law practice. Just like my dad, I was a fighter and I was never afraid. I made saves and I knocked down any opponent who ventured near my box. He was always so proud and I wanted to show him that I too had what it takes.

That summer, my dad began what was to be his final fight and again I watched, listened and learned. Out of nowhere, my pops was diagnosed with brain cancer. He fought for every breath and did his best to stay with our family, but just like that he was gone and so was his sideline screaming. By far, the most influencing event in my life has been the passing of my father. After he died, I no longer wanted to go out onto the field because for me it would not be the same without his voice.

Sports was my blood, but my heart was no longer on the soccer field. As an alternative, I spent a year-and-a-half playing ice hockey and I thoroughly enjoyed knocking down the other guys. For kicks, I also tried out and was selected for my high school’s varsity golf team. Both sports provided the camaraderie I had loved during my soccer days, but I could not bring myself to venture back into the box. It would not be the same without my pops.

Two years passed and I started receiving incessant calls and voice messages from Coach Andre, the high school soccer coach, imploring me to start practicing with the Fort Lauderdale soccer team. Coach Andre had heard from some of my former teammates that I was tough and he wanted me. At first, I ignored the messages because in my head I could not play without my pops. In addition, there were three other goalies and I had not stepped onto a soccer field in almost two years. Finally, I relented to Coach Andre’s requests and I found myself practicing with the varsity soccer team. All of a sudden, I was back on a team and in my box. It was as if I had never left the field. This was where I belonged. The contact, the camaraderie and even the voice of my pops. It was all still there and I was terrific.

In only a few short weeks, I became the starting goalie and two months later I became a co-captain. The other guys looked up to me. Just like my pops, I was a leader and role model.

This year, I will be moving up to captain and cannot wait to lead our team to a season championship. I am a student athlete and am ready to do what it takes for my high school. Next year, I hope to play for a college soccer team where I know I will succeed both academically and on the field.

My pops would be so proud. I can still hear his voice.