Hamilton Scores with Summer Soccer

This week, College Hill was overrun with the jovial screams and laughter of hundreds of aspiring young soccer players.  Ranging in age from 10 to 17 years, these players come from all walks of life and all areas of the country to stay on campus for one week of intensive training in the multifaceted sport of soccer.

A bit more congested in numbers than in previous years, the soccer camp this year totals 275 players.  Grouped by age, the players are organized into squads assigned by Coach Perry Nizzi, who oversees the camp.  One of the main draws of the camp is its 31-person coaching staff, which includes high school and college coaches, as well as college players.

The campers start their day with breakfast at 7:30 a.m., then head to their first of three practices -- technical practice -- at 9 a.m. At 2 p.m., the campers have tactical practice and small games, and, at 6:30 p.m., they play full-sided matches against others in their age group.  While the camp is co-ed, the sub-groups are all single-sex and games are played within the same gender. 

Regarding the strenuous practices, Coach Nizzi says, "No matter how long the practices are, [the campers] always find their second wind later in the evening." After the last practice of the day, the campers are allowed to wash up and enjoy the night's activities, which include dances, talent shows and ice cream socials. It is not uncommon to see campers in the tent outside Duhnam Residence Hall, eating pizza and playing games. Once fed, the campers are in bed by 10:30 p.m. to be up at 7:30 a.m. for another day of fun in the sun. 

Hamilton Women's Soccer