Matt Baldridge

My Story

What are you doing currently?
I am a graduate assistant coach for the men's soccer program at Fort Lewis College and will be starting a master's program in the fall. 

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How did Strikers shape you as a person?
Strikers taught me a whole lot of stuff, but the biggest take away for me was accountability, selflessness, and what a team could achieve if everyone was on the same page. The group was always the most important thing not an individual. I felt like that was my biggest take away from my time with strikers. 

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How is high school/club soccer different from college soccer?
College soccer is a very physical and fast game. The physicality, fitness level you need to be at, and speed of play in college soccer is on another level from club/ high school soccer. At this level everyone is good so there is always a learning curve when stepping into college soccer. Being prepared physically and mentally for the grind of a college season is huge because it can be somewhat of a shock if you are not used to this kind a play, level, or time commitment. 

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What were the key factors you considered when evaluating potential colleges?
The biggest factors for me were what area geographically was the school in. If the area wasn’t a place I liked, I most likely was not going to enjoy my time there. Class size was a huge factor for me as well. I’m more suited for a smaller class size where I could build relationships with my professors and classmates. The school also had to provide courses in what I wanted to major in. The school also had to be affordable and within my budget. Then finally did I like how to team played and did I fit their style of play, was the team competitive, did I like the coach and players, and how were the facilities. 

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What was the most challenging part of the recruiting process?
Being from Montana already has its disadvantages with getting recruited. Since I was from a place that was not really know for its soccer status, I had to recruit schools more then they recruited me. Constantly emailing coaches, going to as many ID camps as I could, emailing coaches every time I went to a tournament, putting together highlight tapes and even sending footage of full games. I had to recruit the school before and more then they recruited me. 

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What advice would you give to younger athletes going through the recruiting process?
Hit the books! A player with a 4.0 GPA is much more appealing than a player with a 3.0. Depending on the division some schools only have a certain amount of athletic scholarship at their disposal. Holding a high GPA allows you to get academic scholarships to a school who may only be able to give you a partial athletic scholarship. 

Put yourself out there as much as possible email coaches, attend ID camps, and email coaches when you are traveling for tournaments. You have to put yourself out there and force the hand in the recruitment process. 

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What do high school athletes not understand about college sports?
College soccer is a job no matter the level you play at (a very cool and fun job) but a job, nonetheless. The time commitment is on a different level then club/high school soccer. Whether or not you're in season you are training, lifting, watching film, or on the road. In season you may be missing 2-3 days of school back-to-back weeks having to keep up with your school work. It is a heavy load but one it is of the best experiences I have had and well worth all the time and effort put into it. 

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What was/is the best part of playing college sports? What was/is the hardest part?
The best part of playing college sports is the camaraderie, community, and relationships you build in the years you are involved in college athletics. I have built lifelong relationships with teammates, coaches, teachers, and random people from the community who supported my team through the years I competed. The diversity of people I met and the experiences I had were pretty amazing.  

The hardest part I have witnessed is people experiencing burnout. College soccer is a year-round commitment. You are either in season going every day, or out of season and doing extra work to stay fit. No matter if you in or out of season you are constantly training, lifting, and trying to be better. This can weigh on lots of people if not everyone. But once you realize why you are doing it everything gets better. It doesn't get easier but your mindset on why you're doing it gets better. 

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Is there anything else you would like to share with high school athletes about playing college soccer, college in general, or life after high school?
There is a college team out there for everyone at all levels. Whether it Be D1,2,3, junior college, or NAIA. If you want to play a sport in college, there is a level and team for you. Find a place you can see yourself going to school and living, and then the soccer part will figure itself out.