Brooke Shumate '14 Recruiting Profile

It has always been a dream of mine to play soccer at a collegiate level. Like most young kids I played a variety of sports, but for some reason soccer just stuck with me. My life revolves around this sport; it has become my passion and I have committed myself to working my hardest in order to be my best.  Early in club sports, I played goalkeeper but periodically would be put in the field to play. My club coach decided to put me in as midfielder when we were short on players. I scored. The next week he did it again and I got a "hat trick". My goalie days were over.  My freshman year, I started the very first high varsity school game at Right Defender. From that point forward,  I have predominantly played in the defense, alternating between Center Defender, Defensive Center Mid, and Outside Defender. On top of that I have had my share of moments on the offense, where I do my best to capitalize on every scoring opportunity I can get. I have been told often that I succeed in various positions because of reading the game well, reading the players well, listening to coaches instructions and adapting quickly as needed.

I have been faced with many challenges in life; One of which was reconstructive foot surgery in early 2012, which left me in a wheelchair for 2 weeks and absolutely NO "foot-to-ground" contact for 3 months, and out 1/2 of my junior year. I was told I had a 50% chance that I would never even get rid of my limp, but there is nothing I love more than proving someone wrong. I am currently 100% fully recovered, stronger and playing even better than I was before the surgery.  Except for the time in the wheelchair, coaches will attest I never missed a practice, attached every club game (near and far) and actively watched and studied the game. As a result, I became a stronger player mentally while I was getting back to the point to play physically.

I want more than anything to continue playing the sport I love for as long as I possibly can without compromising my educational goals, and I appreciate every opportunity to succeed and grow as a player.  Along with soccer, I have a deep love for helping others and I desire to be a Physical Therapist once I finish college. I am 100% dedicated to doing whatever I have to do to succeed, and I am very excited to play college soccer at a school that will provide a well-rounded college experience, with a high academic focus.