Garcia Signs With Crowder
History was made recently when Alex Garcia became the first member of the McDonald County High School soccer program to sign a letter of intent to play soccer at the collegiate level.
Garcia inked his letter with Crowder College in front of a large group of supporters, including most of the 2017-2018 Mustangs, at a block party held Aug. 12 at Noel Elementary School.
Garcia was a member of the Mustang soccer team for both of its two years in existence since it became a varsity sport in the 20152016 school year. Garcia is first and foremost a goalie but did play midfield at times for MCHS.
“Alex is a great kid,” McDonald County coach James Carter said. “When you talk to anybody who knows him, they all say the same thing. As a soccer player, he is an exceptional goalie. We put him in the field some because we needed help out there. He did that without complaining, but I am not too sure that is what he wanted to do. He was really good in the field. In our first year, he scored the game-winner against Aurora on the first time he played in the field.”
The late-summer signing came about after Carter talked to and found they were in need of a goalie.
“Coach Smith (Crowder Coach Brad Smith) and I have a good relationship,” Carter said. “I played under him when I played there and I was an assistant coach under him, so we are really close. We talk all the time and he said they were in need of a keeper. I brought Alex’s name up and we both thought he would be a good fit. It happened fast and we are both happy that it came about.”
Carter said one of the hopes in starting as soccer program at McDonald County was to give students a chance to go to college when maybe they wouldn’t have had that opportunity.
“If you talk to the people who started the soccer program, one of the big ideas was maybe we would get some kids to go to college who might not otherwise go,” Carter said. “Maybe playing soccer would be a way to push them over the top. That’s a big part of the story and a really important part.”
For Garcia, it worked out just that way.
“I wasn’t expecting to go to college this year and then I got an offer to play,” Garcia said. “It’s hard to turn down something you like to do. I was going to go to college next year, but I decided because of this.”
Garcia said he is thankful for the opportunity and ready to get started.
“I am pretty excited about this opportunity,” Garcia said. “I want to thank Coach Carter for all his help. He is a great coach. I also want to thank my Aunt Cruz Marquez. She has raised me for 19 years.”