Michael Kim at Hamilton College!

Name: Michael Kim

Age: 18

College: Hamilton College

Years playing: 11

Favorite Position: Center Midfield

Hobbies: Soccer, Tennis, TV, Hanging out with friends

Where are you going to college? And Why?

Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. Hamilton has a great combination of a good rising soccer program and very good academics. Not only that, but the class sizes are small, allowing for better student-teacher communication. The campus is beautiful as well.

What are you most excited for?

Playing soccer at the next level and living the college life.

What was the recruitment process like?

It felt like a pretty competitive environment between the ID clinics and college showcases because you always had to stand out from all the other players that were there on the field with you. The pressure gets relieved a lot if you just keep the plan of making good impressions in the back of your mind and just go have fun with it. It was a little bit stressful towards the end because I had a few colleges that I was deciding between and they were all great choices so, it was kinda tough to make a decision.

Do you have any advice for our athletes who want to pursue soccer in college?

Keep working hard on and off the field. It is very important to improve your skills all the time so that you can reach the next level of play. However, you must also make sure to do well in school because it will help you get into college as well. College coaches can only help you so much no matter how good you are, so make sure to do well in both aspects of life.

How did PTS help raise your level of play?

The thing that PTS helped the most with was making ball skills and quick feet second nature. The training helped my muscle memory to the point where keeping the ball from defenders was just like a reaction that I didn’t have to think about so I could put more focus into other things on the field.

What’s the best advice anyone has given you?

It was either “do what you love” which I applied to all facets of my life or “work as much at soccer at home as you do with schoolwork”.

Do you have a saying or motto that you live by?

Not particularly, but I do believe that putting the work into things through dirt, sweat, grime, and tears will pay off.

Who is your favorite player?

My favorite player is Lionel Messi for a few reasons. He plays on a team whose tiki-taka style of play makes the game fun to watch and learn from. Also, I feel that his incredibly quick feet that just can’t be matched. He can sprint at full speed and take perfect touches at just the right time which makes him unstoppable at a full sprint.

What are your favorite cleats? Color?

My favorite cleats are the Nike Tiempo Legends in all black with white Nike swooshes, white soles, black shoelaces, and black spikes.