Vail Thomas '23 Recruiting Profile

For the past eight years, I have enjoyed being part of FC Richmond’s Elite Mystx Travel Soccer Team. Throughout my club level soccer career, I have learned how to succeed playing many positions while developing lifelong friendships with my teammates and coaching staff including; Dave Amsler, Trip Dunville, Forsan Radwan, and my current coach and the Director of Coach for FC Richmond, Trip Ellis. I would like to continue playing soccer during my college education because I enjoy the high level of competition, the focus on improvement through proper training and exercise, and because I will make a positive and impactful addition to many of the current colleges I am pursuing. Before the passing of Dave Amsler, the former Director of Coaching and Founder of FC Richmond, he spoke with me about my abilities and future playing in college. I was invited to teach younger club players at his summer soccer training camps, demonstrating dribbling, passing, movement, and all of the coerver skills/ball control skills. My early talks with Dave Amsler built up the dream of playing a sport I love at the elite college level and further working with teammates with similar goals. 

I will be an asset for an elite college level team because of my player flexibility in all offensive and defensive positions. The skill set that separates me from others is my dribbling and ball control techniques. My defensive awareness, aggressiveness, and posture,  help force the opponent into making mistakes and allow me to succeed with winning the ball. These skills in addition to my endurance, composure, and willingness to work hard and wise have made me a very well rounded player for my teammates and coaches. As a student athlete, I will be a positive representative for the school during the season and off season. I currently enjoy working with younger club players for FC Richmond and would love the opportunity to impact the younger players in my college community. I have an amazing family support system that believes in success through teamwork and helping others and I feel this aspect of my life will lead me into being a supportive and successful student, athlete, and person in the future.  

Receiving a great education from a prestigious university along with continuing to play soccer is not only one of my most important goals, it is a priority for me and the lifestyle I enjoy. I love going to school and I have a 4.0 grade point average, unweighted. I have always been able to balance my school workload, athletics, and social life because I am used to the regiment of an active, demanding, and occasionally rewarding schedule. I am beginning this process to find out what would be the best fit for me and my family. I would sincerely appreciate any advice or information to help me make such an important life decision. Thank you for your kind consideration. 

Thank you, 

Vail Thomas