Ian Sanshuck '23 Recruiting Profile

Whether it is playing, watching, learning, or listening to the game, soccer is an obsession and deep passion of mine. Whenever I hear, see, or play soccer, I always get extremely excited and motivated. I have always fallen in love with the beautiful game. I have maintained this passion and dedication, through focusing on my growth and development as a soccer utility multi positional player, teammate, and student. Even though I pride myself in being able to play anywhere where I am necessary, I have pride myself with playing the role of goalkeeper. I have always loved the built up pressure of being a goalkeeper...

Being the last line of defense and first line of offense, goalkeeper has taught me to be disciplined, focused, and a better decision maker. I feel one thing that I have observed and noticed is the culture of soccer has turned solely based into scoring goals and gaining all the glory to one's individual self. Rather than a team play of players working together and constantly pushing each other to become more confident decision makers. This is what has made me stick with goalkeeping. I believe this game is 99% mental and 1% physical. The problem I have noticed is that many individuals are not focused. I feel many of them are focused on their individual skills rather than having an impact with their team. I go by the quote “You are only as strong as your weakest link.”. I want to have an impact on a culture where everyone is focused and checked in mentally, everyone pushes each other, everyone is constantly growing and learning experience, and most importantly developing a team-winning mentality. I can say for myself I have been a part of a culture where everyone is constantly getting better and everyone is constantly getting challenged. Whether it is my club practice, private training, or high school practice. This is where I believe I stand out amongst my other fellow candidates. 

Which brings me to my next point... while many of my friends attended parties, played video games, slept in, I was working out on being a well-rounded fit athlete. If I was not working out, I would go to the park or go to my backyard and get touches in. Whether it was juggling a ball or passing against the wall working on both feet. If I was not doing soccer, I was always studying for my classes so I earn and maintain my 4.1 GPA. Along with keeping myself fit mentally and physically, I pride myself with going to bed early for a club game, high school game, private training session, or school the next day. 

If you were to ask my peers, my coaches, my teachers, or family members to describe how I am I would say the majority would say I am a great decision maker, hard worker, and that I have a great attitude. I believe all of these attributes are what separate me from the other candidates. I am excited to win and gain experience at the highest collegiate level of soccer.