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Soccer Star Clint Dempsey Encourages Youth to Reach Their Goals

Soccer star Clint Dempsey took center stage at the amphitheater near Carthage Elementary School Wednesday as part of the Moore County Library’s summer reading program.

Kids from across Moore County came to the event to hear Dempsey speak about his soccer career. They left with advice to take them through school ­athletics and academics as well as autographed shirts, cleats, balls or pictures.

“To come to a small town and have people want to take an interest — whether in the sport that I play or in me — it feels good,” Dempsey said, “and if I can pass something along that helps them then today was worth it.”

The summer reading program is the largest program the library does every year. Libraries across the country participate and share the same theme. This year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories.”

The program is designed to encourage reading in a nonacademic environment and show how reading ties to real life. Dempsey explained how his educational success allowed him to play in high school, college, and then professionally.

“The purpose is to keep kids reading over the summer,” said Catie Roche, Moore County library director. “It’s a really ­positive thing for school-aged children.”

Wednesday’s audience was composed of summer reading participants as well as soccer fans of all ages. They cheered as Clara Bernicken, president of the Friends of the Moore County Library group, introduced Dempsey. When she asked the younger children what sport he played, they answered “soccer.” High school ­players followed with a chorus of their own — “football!” they shouted.

Dempsey opened the event by describing his own path to playing professionally. He grew up in Nacogdoches, Texas, and played club soccer for the Dallas Texans. After playing at Furman University for three years, he began playing soccer ­professionally. He now plays for the U.S. National Team and the Fulham Football Club in the English Premier League.

Dempsey holds the record for having the highest number of goals in a single season for an American in the English Premier League and is Fulham’s career Premier League scoring leader. He is the second American to score in two different FIFA World Cup final tournaments.

“(When I was younger), all I knew was that (soccer) was a sport that I enjoyed playing,” Dempsey said. “I had fun doing it, and I was going to keep doing it as long as I could. The feeling I got when I scored a goal — that was something I didn’t get from other sports.”

After telling his story, Dempsey gave his audience advice that applied to all aspects of life. He encouraged the kids to “take your studies seriously,” mentioning the need to get good grades in high school because “if you don’t pass, you don’t play.” He pushed them to give it their all in everything that they do.

“If you love it, then you need to put everything into it,” he said.

Dempsey ended his speech with a question and answer session. The questions ranged all across the board from ‘“what is your favorite food?” and “what do you do when you’re really, really hot?” to “what was going through your mind when you scored against Robert Greene in the 2010 World Cup?” (Dempsey said his favorite food is chips and salsa, he eats Popsicles, and he described the goal as “one that is so lucky, it shouldn’t go in”).

One woman asked what advice Dempsey would give to aspiring players.

“If you don’t shoot, you don’t score,” Dempsey answered.

He encouraged players to have confidence in themselves and not let anyone tell them that what they do is wrong because if they believe in themselves then they should do what they feel.

Following the questions, three autographed soccer balls were given away. At the end of the event, the audience surged forward to create a line of players wanting autographs and the chance to talk to the ­professional player. The kids had soccer balls, regular shoes, pictures, T-shirts, dress shirts, cleats and ­anything else they had on hand ready for Dempsey to sign.

Dempsey’s story held meaning for players of all ages. Younger children saw what they can attain if they put their mind to something. Older players got to meet one of their idols. Parents and coaches value him as a role model.

Todd Abbey, director of AC Sandhills Soccer Club, appreciated Dempsey’s appearance and thinks it is a reminder of what matters — getting back to the kids.

“It’s nice to have someone like Clint do this for the community,” Abbey said. “It shows the interest we’re starting to draw on. For us it’s good.”

Many AC Sandhills ­players attended the event. Sean Blatz, a U6 player, said it was his second time meeting Dempsey. He admitted to having fun and knows that “you need to work hard” to achieve your dreams.

Nicole Barnes, 11, had a similar reaction to Dempsey’s speech. Barnes also plays for AC Sandhills.

“If you really want to play soccer you have to work hard to get to a different level,” Barnes said.

The event brought out ­soccer enthusiasts outside of AC Sandhills as well. Ben Shamberger played soccer at Appalachian State University and competed against Dempsey. He recently coached at North Moore High School. Robert Mimms and his daughter, Natalie, 3, came from Greensboro to hear Dempsey speak.

The kids left the event happy and ready to take on their next practice and their next school year. One comment Dempsey made captured the spirit of the summer reading program perfectly.

“Continue to read books and learn about the world, and one day maybe you will get to travel and see the things that you read about,” he said.

Summer Hennings, a rising sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill, is a newsroom intern at The Pilot.