Byron Center — Allister Allan has played soccer since he was 3.
Around age 9, he began playing for Midwest United FC; that team, he said, convinced him that the sport should be part of his future career plans.
Now as a freshman, Allister plays on Byron Center High School’s varsity soccer team. When he’s not representing the Bulldogs on the field, Allister plays as a defender for the Michigan Futbol Academy’s Revolution 09B Elite team and participates in US Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program.
He also closely follows European football, especially the English Premier League.
“Tottenham (Hotspur F.C.) is my favorite team and my favorite player is Son Heung-min,” he said.
Off the field, Allister is putting his efforts into his academics (and attempting to convince his mom why he needs a “Son” jersey). School News Network spoke with him about his dreams for the future.
What is your dream? “My dream is to go to college and play Division 1 soccer. I’d like to go to Michigan State University, but I’ll play for whoever offers for me to play for them.”
Why is this your dream? “Every time I’m playing, I’m having so much fun and you’re with the people you love to be around all the time.”
But, he added, “I feel like academics are an important thing for me if the soccer dream doesn’t work out. I would like to go to MSU and pursue education there while getting to play soccer, something (in the) math and science route. I enjoy those more than any other subjects.”
How are school and your teachers helping you achieve your dream? “I feel like Mr. (Jared) Crandell, my history teacher, really makes me think about things other than history and more like my personal goals and everything. He’s very positive and motivational and teaches us more than just history; he teaches us about life and pursuing our goals.”
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