Reed Rogers, the Jacksonville high standout, is proof that SASA can prepare soccer players to play at the highest college levels at Bradley.

“SASA (gave) me the chance to play against the best players from the Springfield area,” says Rogers.  “It was awesome to be able to come over and compete with guys who made me better.”

Rogers was one of 13 players in the D1 school’s 2019 recruiting class.  He redshirted his freshman year and hopes to play when the pandemic-delayed season starts in February 2021.  Reed compares competing for playing time to the experience from his high school sophomore year when he played up for SASA. “Every practice is about showing you deserve a spot and that you can play,” he says.

He says the biggest things he noticed in the jump to D1 are tactics and accountability.

“Decisions that I would not even think about, such as whether to step to a guy in the press, or where to stand when marking on a corner…I now see as extremely important in winning games.

“Taking plays off just isn’t allowed here.  If it is not the coaches that get on you for being lazy, it will definitely be the rest of your team”

Reed cites SASA coaches Pat Phillips and Jim Paoni as influential in preparing him to play D1 soccer. “Their style of coaching made me more receptive to criticism.  SASA taught me not to get too upset…but rather just fix it and keep playing.”

Check out Roger’s college roster page at https://bradleybraves.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/reed-rogers/12285