University News
A TEAM UNITED
Davenport | 19
Men’s soccer program grabs the attention of international students
When Daire O’Riordan decided to attend Davenport, his friends and family were surprised to learn he had selected a university more than 3,400 miles away from home. The majority of O'Riordan's schoolmates in Cork, Ireland, chose to remain in the country to attend college. Although he knew it would be hard to leave his family and friends, O’Riordan felt strongly that Davenport’s marketing program and the opportunity to play on the men’s soccer team made leaving home the best choice for his future — a decision he is grateful he made.
On the men’s soccer team, O’Riordan is in good company. He is one of 12 international students, several of whom are also from Ireland or its neighboring countries. This past season, international students represented 43% of the men’s soccer team and 9% of all student-athletes at Davenport. O’Riordan isn’t the first Davenport student from Cork, and he likely won’t be the last. But what exactly is it about the men’s soccer program that brings these students to West Michigan from Australia, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom?
DU Review
The whole experience
Left: Name: Daire O’Riordan Hometown: Cork, Ireland Major: Marketing (BBA '21; MBA '23, expected) Position: Center midfield Notable memory on the team: Winning two GLIAC titles and being captain for three years Misses most from home: Family, friends and the food
Chris Hughes, head coach for the program since 2011, attributes the number of international students on the team to one thing — Davenport can give these students the whole experience. “They can’t just be here to play soccer, or just to get a degree. If an international student-athlete wants to be successful, they need to be here for the whole experience. They see us as a very reputable team, but also an institution where they can get a great education,” said Hughes.
