Congratulations to Parker Grimm on her commitment to The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown as she continues her soccer and educational journey.
Team: Girls 2004 Black
Number of Years at Copa: 7 years
HS: Shore Regional High School
HS Honors: 3x NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 1 Sectional Champion, 2019 NJSIAA Group 1 Finalist, 2020 All-Conference Selection, National Honor Society
Coaches at Copa: Coach Sherwin, Coach Matty, Coach Roberto, Coach Lori
College Attending: The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Conference: PSAC - Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
Anticipated Major: Physical Therapy
Quote about a specific coach:
“Nobody’s a natural. You work hard to get good and then work to get better.” -Paul Coffey
This quote reminds me of Coach Roberto. Whenever I see him, he always shares the importance of working hard and getting better to better myself. He is one of the reasons that I am going on to play college soccer, because of the valuable lessons he taught me about working hard and playing to the best of my abilities.
What are your most memorable moments or experiences at FC Copa Academy?
Some of the most memorable experiences at Copa are the get-togethers and team bonding that our team does when we go away for tournaments and showcases. The ‘04 Girls have so much fun together when we travel and the memories that we have made are priceless.
How did FC Copa Academy help you become the player you are today?
I have never been one to step out of my comfort zone but being with Copa has pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and take chances to better myself as a player and a person. I am now able to take more risks and be confident with myself and what I do.
How did FC Copa Academy help you get into the college program you will be attending?
I would not have been able to get into The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown without the help of Coach Lori and Coach Roberto. They have been such a big help in pushing to get me to where I want to go, and I am so thankful that they were able to help. I would also like to thank Coach Matty because without him I would not have been where I am today with my abilities and technique. He has really helped me develop into a better player over the course of four years.
Share your thoughts and experiences on the collegiate recruitment process with FC Copa Academy.
The recruitment process with Copa was comforting and helpful. Getting on a phone call with Coach Lori and having her explain the recruitment process gave me a sense of comfort that I have people in my corner trying to help me get to the next level which I really appreciated. A big part of where I am going to college today is because of Coach Roberto and I am so thankful that he was able to guide me and give me the true reality of what I was getting into and what I was capable of doing.
What advice would you give to future FC Copa Academy athletes going through the collegiate recruitment process?
Some advice I can give other athletes is to go where you want and really research colleges. Don’t go just because their sports programs are interested in you, go because you want to be there. Make sure you are collecting tape of your games. For every play that makes a highlight video, you might need an hour of tape. It is a lot of work, but it also helps you get better if you watch it enough. I was lucky to have a great support system not only at the club but at home. My parents were part of the team and spent many years shooting and collecting tape. My mom shot three years of tape and my dad helped us cut it down for highlight videos. The pandemic changed the way at least my class was recruited. With an extremely long D1, dead period, and schools being closed, coaches were really evaluating tape and suddenly all that tape my parents accumulated became really important. Don’t be afraid to send emails and set up phone calls. The first couple may be out of your comfort zone, but you will get the hang of it and then it becomes normal. Finally, if you are not communicating with a school there is a good possibility, they do not know about you. Do not just assume they will see you at a showcase. My team played some showcase games at odd hours late in the day or at a satellite field away from the main facility and in a lot of bad weather. You must put in the work to get coaches to those games. Stay persistent, make your own luck, and believe in yourself.