Huntington Alum Named Union College Soccer Captain
Jack Scott, one of the top Blue Devil soccer players of his era, has been named a captain of the Union College soccer team. He’s looking to close out his collegiate career on a high note next fall after experiencing a series of ups-and-downs over the past three years.
“I came in freshman year injured and unable to play,” Scott explained. “I was in top form before I injured myself, so it was very discouraging not being able to play as a freshman, when I knew I could. It was also a little intimidating because here I was this freshman coming in, not playing, but still making the team. I definitely could feel people talking and it did get to me. It actually took me awhile to get completely healthy and finally after a cortisone shot for my injury, there was no more pain. However, having not played and practiced at full strength for awhile, I was not in game shape. It was a bit upsetting because I was good enough to play but I couldn't because I wasn't in shape. The season ended with relative disappointment because we didn't finish as far as we would have liked, but we all remained positive about the coming year.”
“Jack is a great example of a student-athlete,” said Jeff Guinn, Union College head coach. “His work on the field, in the weight room and in the class room is a great example to our younger players. He is one of the hardest working players I’ve had in 12 years at Union. Jack has had his role expand every season. He is a great student of the game and a very important part of the team both on and off the field. He is a great example of a team player who works within his role in the team.”
Key Blue Devil Contributor
During his years at Huntington High School, Scott was a key contributor on the basketball and soccer teams and was a top student, too. A hard working, likable teenager, he always impressed his teachers with his command of the spoken and written word and his coaches appreciated his commitment to excellence.
After struggling through his freshman year at Union College, Scott was injured again as a sophomore. “I had terrible shin splints that lasted the duration of the year,” he said. “I was a day-to-day player, relying on extensive ice and stimulation treatment, with massive doses of Motrin. It was no fun and again, I was one of the better players so not being able to play and compete with my teammates was devastating. I would call home complaining and about my injury almost every night. I am a very, very competitive person, and also an antsy one, so sitting on the sideline was absolutely brutal. Torture almost. But, what I didn't realize at the time, and only did at the end of the season, was that the team was performing well and winning games. So, I realized that I am one part of the team and should be more worried about that instead of myself.”
Underwent a Metamorphosis
When he stopped worrying about himself and his condition and turned his focus to the team and its results, Scott underwent a metamorphosis. “That was the moment my playing style and mentality completely changed,” he said. “Before that I was worried about scoring goals, getting points, and playing time. I was thinking as an individual. It was really immature and I think it took those two terrible years for me to realize it. I still think of myself as an individual, but I think of how I can act, play and think in ways that will be better for the team. Everything I do now, whether it be lifting in the weight room, talking to players on the field or chasing down loose balls, I do it with the consciousness of the team. Is this good for the team? If it is, then I do it no matter what.”
This different mindset includes looking differently at putting the ball in the net. “I used to think that I had to score goals in order us to win,” Scott said. “Agreeably, it is very nice to score goals and I think I definitely should score more, but if we are winning games like we were this past season, then I don't care about my personal stats. I will be the first to tell you, I should have scored more this season. As a starting forward, I should score more. I started off pretty hot this year, but my lack of scoring was no reflection of my play or effort. I took my shots and had a decent amount, but soccer is a funny game. You get lucky, you don't. You can try and try and try, and never score, but one day you could have a ball played right to your foot and you could put it in the top corner of the net every time. I accepted that, which completely transformed me. I started almost every single game this year, played a lot of minutes in every game, and became a leader through my play and my actions.”
Over the past three seasons, Scott has appeared in 47 games for Union, starting 19, with five goals and three assists. He has taken 60 shots and been credited with one game winning goal. But, his worth to the team extends far beyond scoring.
Credits Coaches for Improvement
Scott, who started 17-of-19 games last fall, gives credit to Union assistant coach Bernie Watt for much of his improvement over the past three years, calling him “a great motivator, and a fantastic person. Bernie exposed me to new ways of training and thinking on the field. Union College is lucky to have Bernie's expertise and enthusiasm. His patience and diligent work with me revolutionized my ability and mind. Not only was I playing better and doing things for the team, which were not seen at Union College soccer for awhile, I was literally able to see three and four plays ahead, actually slowing down the game, relaxing, and providing a presence on the field. I am light years ahead of where I was when I graduated and a great deal of this progress is directly contributed to Bernie Watt, a teacher of the game and a friend.”
Scott also credited Guinn, “who really took a chance on me when I had not put Union College first. I originally applied early decision to Holy Cross because the coach at the time had recruited me and three others from our club team. I chose Holy Cross because it is a Division I school, which I was obsessed with playing for at the time. I was blinded by this illusion that D-I soccer is the only soccer. I was wrong and when I didn't get in, I went to coach Guinn and asked if he would still take me after I had chosen Holy Cross over Union. He emphatically said yes and welcomed me into the Union family. I am very grateful for his acceptance of me and will never forget that he gave me a chance when I turned him down. It is a quality not found very often, especially in the world of sports. I will be forever grateful.”
Future Plans
The Huntington grad is hoping to help lead Union to the NCAA Division III national crown next fall. The team advanced into the post-season last year and seems poised to push even deeper in 2009.
As for the future, Scott is considering several options after he graduates. One is to play soccer professionally either in the United States or in a small European country. “I plan on training and working very hard for that opportunity, which I consider to be a viable option,” he said. “I want to at least to make it. If I try and don't, I can accept, but what I can't accept is not trying. I want to give myself a shot.”
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