Gage Teems '22 Recruiting Profile

Being one of the youngest players to make the first U12 Academy team, was the highlight of my soccer career at the Livonia Wolves Hawks Soccer Club. I am the only player from my U8 A team to continuously play at this club's highest level. Other players left the club looking for something better, unsatisfied with the coaching, or coaches' assessments of their talents. I stayed – for better or worse. Throughout these years with the Club, I learned that while successes are rewarding, it's the setbacks you face that better you as player and person. My adversities in my early years at the Club shaped me and made me more resolute. I had a coach in those first years who, while picking me for his first team every year, never believed in me, and let me know it. Though I tried to please him and produced results for the team, he was never pleased or satisfied. Although it shook my confidence, I didn't run to another club or quit. Instead, I used it as motivation to train harder, get stronger, and prove him wrong. Fortunately, I then had a U11 coach who knew what I'd experienced and how I responded. He helped renew my confidence in myself; He encouraged me to build on my strengths, taught me to increase my fitness for better mental toughness, so that as the games grew longer my focus would not wane. The next year, I made the first (Columbus Crew) Wolves U12 Academy team.

I was lucky enough to be a part of an outstanding U15 Academy team of good athletes and even better human beings. During the season I was chosen by my teammates and coaches to be one of three team captains. From being the team captain, I learned what impact good leadership could have on a team. During times that my teammates started to lose confidence in themselves and each other, I worked to re-build our unity, to build them back up, and improve the team's performance overall. Within our club, we were recognized by the Academy Director as having the best team attitude and most inspirational performances. I think that my determination, work ethic, and leadership abilities will translate well to the college setting. I believe that I can perform and lead at the college level! I'm interested in finding a university environment that challenges me academically and athletically.