How St. Paul seniors Jay and Hieu made history as our first-ever student-athletes recruited to play university soccer in the USA!
How St. Paul seniors Jay and Hieu made history as our first-ever student-athletes recruited to play university soccer in the USA!
We are proud to celebrate these two graduating seniors, Jay and Hieu. Their dedication has paid off: both have signed commitments to play university soccer in the United States. Jay is headed to McKendree University, and Hieu is taking his talents to Houghton University.
They are the first St. Paul students to be recruited by universities on an athletic track. These students are passionate about soccer, working on their game in the early morning weight room sessions, playing in the grueling summer heat, and gaining more and more play time during games.
Here is the story of how their passion, combined with the unique St. Paul ecosystem, turned an ambitious dream into reality.
Jay: Vision, Belief, and the “Ignite” Spark
Jay’s journey at St. Paul started all the way back in the 5th grade. While he had been kicking a ball since 3rd grade, the idea of playing collegiate football in the United States wasn’t even on his radar.
“I never thought of playing soccer in the US until 10th grade, when Coach Pop (St. Paul’s Athletic Director) showed me a vision,” Jay recalls.
That vision materialized through the Ignite Program, an initiative started by former St. Paul Athletic Director, Coach Pop. Designed specifically to bridge the gap between international student-athletes and US college coaches, Ignite takes players directly to ID camps in America. Jay attended these camps over the summers of 2024 and 2025. Standing face-to-face with college scouts, Jay put his skills on display and was recruited straight out of the 2025 camp by McKendree University.
Reflecting on his growth from middle school to high school, Jay credits the uncompromising expectations of our Athletics program. St. Paul Eagles Athletics didn’t just teach him how to be a better athlete; it forced him to grow as a person, emphasizing responsibility, respect, and integrity.
Hieu: Overcoming Challenges
Hieu’s path to the States is all about grit and perseverance. Joining St. Paul in the middle of his sophomore year from a bilingual school, Hieu underwent a massive transition into a fully international athletics program. Thanks to the welcoming community of friends, teachers, and staff, he was able to build his athleticism and teamwork.
He has overcome many obstacles, a few years ago, he was a player often sitting on the bench, feeling some disrespect from other players.
“I never gave up. I kept showing up, working hard, and improving every single day. Those experiences motivated me to prove to myself and others that I could become better.”
That relentless work ethic is what defines Hieu. This is a great athlete heading to an NCAA Division III school, Houghton University.
“I still have a lot of work to do, and this is not the end of my development. I will continue working to become a better version of myself than I am today.”
Hieu will continue with this momentum and keep improving at university in New York, USA
The St. Paul Secret Weapons
While Jay and Hieu possess undeniable individual drive, their success highlights two major differentiators that set the St. Paul Athletics program apart from other schools:
Both boys point to the E.A.T. program as a game-changer for their physical development. Far surpassing a standard PE class, E.A.T. focuses on sport-specific strength, agility, and conditioning.
The recruiting process in the US can be daunting for international students. The fact that a former St. Paul Athletic Director stepped up to guide, mentor, and help connect these boys to US college coaches via the Ignite camp is a testament to the St. Paul community. We don’t just support our students while they are in our classrooms; we build networks to launch them into their futures.
The Next Kickoff
As Jay and Hieu prepare to trade their St. Paul jerseys for McKendree and Houghton colors, they leave behind a legacy of what is possible when talent meets a relentless work ethic and a supportive community.
To Jay and Hieu: You have flown high as Eagles, and we cannot wait to watch you soar in the US. Congratulations!
