Rocklin Shumaker said the training program for soccer players at East Tennessee State University is “very unique.” He’s decided to have four years to enjoy and benefit from it.
The Chattanooga Christian senior and two-time all-stater recently committed to continue his career at the Johnson City school.
Shumaker chose between ETSU and Davidson College. He noted that the Buccaneers were his second choice but that Davidson was asking his family to pay $48,000 per year for him to go.
“That pretty much sent that choice right out the window,” he said. “ETSU is a good opportunity and it provides me an open opportunity to play. When I went for my official visit, I noticed how unique their training was. There’s only a couple places that train that way, and to get that type of training and for that price, it’s just incredible.”
Shumaker had 49 goals and 19 assists in the past two seasons for the Chargers, who have advanced to the state tournament every year he’s been in high school. Yet two penalty-kick losses – including in the Class A/AA state-title game last year against Boyd-Buchanan – have made him eager to return to the field for his senior season.
“I think we’re definitely tired of losing,” Shumaker said. “I know I am because I know the number of hours we put into our training. We haven’t been playing like we should, but if we come out focused and have the drive, we’ll have a lot better chances this season.”
Shumaker said his offseason training has included adding strength to his right-footed shots, as well as working on the accuracy of his rocket-fire shot from the left foot.
“If ETSU trains the way they showed me, the sky’s the limit,” he said. “If I’m focused, they’ll be able to train me and mold me however they want.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6311. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/gh3sports.