Joel Beeson '24 Recruiting Profile

I've been playing soccer since I was 3 years old – so relationships with my coaches and learning from them has been an important part of my entire life in West Virginia. They helped me to grow as a soccer player but also as a person. I've learned teamwork, problem solving, conflict resolution and leadership skills. These skills from my coaches' mentorship have helped me in my education too - improving my focus, time management, resilience, discipline; being open to new experiences and uncertainty, and the humility of always being able to improve and learn. I aspire to continue these perspectives in my academic and professional career. 

I have always been a social person, and my parents and coaches have taught me the importance of respecting everyone's humanity and purpose. This has also guided my approach to my role and responsibilities as a citizen to contribute to human rights, social equality and justice. I enjoy opportunities for community engaged service work, and plan to make that work a part of my career as a filmmaker and storyteller.

It has always been important to me as a player to be apart of a team where we can be friends outside of the sport, and I feel very lucky to have those relationships as a positive social support system. I have developed into a leader and captain of my high school team as a junior this past year, and look forward to continuing that role in my senior year. The most rewarding moments playing soccer are when I can count on my teammates and we are absolutely in sync. I've always found it most satisfying to make plays – creating opportunities for goals – because often the assist is much prettier than the goal. As much as focus on being a team player, I love the competitive nature of soccer, not only in games but at practice. I'd like to continue working to improve these leadership and competitive skills at an academically demanding college.