Meet The Team
For the last 25 years, Jim has run the internationally renowned ‘Association Football Management’ course at Colaiste Ide. In his time there he facilitated the transition of over 400 students to universities in the USA. These ranged from Junior and Community colleges all the way to NCAA Division 1. Jim’s footballing CV is quite impressive. He has been part of the management set up at teams in the League of Ireland and the Irish league and also has a wealth of international experience due to time spent managing the combined University & College Irish National Team. As roles of honours go, his success at Irish college soccer takes some beating. He has won the colleges ‘All Ireland’ title on several occasions (both male & female) as well as various cups and local district competitions.
A graduate from the University of Limerick, Jim has been travelling to the USA, on an annual basis, for the last 20 years. His teams have taken part in numerous soccer showcases and even the prestigious Dallas Cup. Because of this, the reputation of his teams is internationally known, with many of his alumni now head coaches. This added to the vast amount of colleges he has worked with in his career, makes him the ideal man to facilitate your transition to the USA!
Jim’s son Ryan is a teacher by trade, but in a past life was very involved with youth soccer in the USA. Having obtained a scholarship to the USA himself in 2003, he is the perfect guy to assist you with questions and any concerns you may have regarding the process. After graduating with a degree in Sports Science in 2007, Ryan worked for the LA Galaxy on their youth training programs for a number of years before spending a season with the Chicago Fire.
After obtaining an MBA in International Business, Ryan has continued to circulate within football circles in the UK and has worked alongside (or recruited) many of the country’s most exciting young coaches. He continues to work as an ambassador for American coaching companies and will happily assist anybody looking to progress in that field also.
Assessment Academy Team
At Soccer Scholar USA we also have a dedicated Academy Team who asses and advise candidates. These include: UEFA A licenced coaches who specialize in professional player identification and scouting; a qualified sport psychology & coach education consultant and an elite strength and conditioning coach. Our scouting network covers many of Ireland’s leading amateur clubs and has strong connections to some of Dublin’s most prestigious sides.
Having educated staff that have studied player development in many European countries such as: Holland, England, Croatia and Germany gives us the edge in talent I.D.