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Boys Commitments: Top Tier Programs With Historical Success
Girls: Commitments: Academic Decisions
Brendan Hicks, Midfielder, SC del Sol
Class: 2018
Commitment: Butler
While deciding on where to attend college, Brendan Hicks already had an idea of what he was looking for and Butler University was the one that checked all the right boxes. With family and a familiarity with the area, it was the success of the Big East outfit and educational value that helped trigger the final decision.
"After visiting several other schools, I found that Butler had exactly what I was looking for. Strong traditions, excellent academics, a commitment to athletics and a coaching staff that is not only focused on developing me as a player but a person as well. They won the Big East Championship last year and they have been ranked in the Top 20 DI Men's soccer programs this year. They also have a great business school as I plan to study finance."
Since moving over to the Big East at the start of the 2013 season, Butler has posted a 40-24-12 record with one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016. This year, Butler is looking to repeat as Conference champions as they are first in the Big East with a 6-1 conference record.
Hicks is looking forward to challenging himself at a top-tier soccer program and helping Butler continue its success, but that isn't the only thing he will be focusing on at Butler.
"I am looking forward to the business program in which I will be able to do two business internships in my time with Butler that will help me prepare for life after college."
Hicks moved over to SC del Sol in 2013 and credits the coaches with helping him develop through the years.
"Coach Tony Colavecchia has given me great insight into the college gram and helped me become more versatile as a player to develop my ultimate potential. After spending many years as a center back, Colavecchia challenged me to transition to a defensive center midfielder to increase my versatility and to make me a more attractive college recruit."
Michael Haynes, Goalkeeper, CCV Stars
Class: 2018
Commitment: Grand Canyon University
Arizona native Michael Haynes didn't have to look too far out of state for the right college as he's known for years that he would be attending Grand Canyon University.
"I committed to GCU because after the first camp I attended my freshman year, I fell in love with the campus and coaching. Attending that camp and being able to be coached by great coaches made me fall in love with it even more which is a reason why I wanted to commit to GCU and play for a great DI team. From a faith standpoint, GCU being a Christian school, it was important to me to continue my soccer career in a faith-based environment."
When it comes to great coaches, current GCU head coach Schellas Hyndman is one of the best. He has compiled a 480-137-54 record as a college coach and was the head coach of Major League Soccer's FC Dallas from 2008-2013. It's this impressive resume that helped make the decision easy for Haynes.
"I am looking forward to being coached and developed under Schellas Hyndman and Kevin Doyle, a great coach and former goalkeeper, as well as other great and experienced assistant coaches."
Haynes competes for the CCV Stars 00 Boys team and credits the experience he has had with where he is at today.
"My club career helped me prepare in a number of ways. My club had coaches that truly cared about my development over the last few years and they have helped me reach my full potential. The players and coaches as m club have also helped me build a strong Christian character and their demonstration of leadership and hard work will help me in all aspects of life."