First Premier Academy Student-Athlete Commits to #1 team in the US
Being the first to sign-up for something new can be a risky decision. The Olé Premier Academy’s first student-athlete was up for the challenge and his choice has been paid back quick, and with large dividends.
Caleb Hilbron started training at Olé and doing his NCEA level schoolwork at the Olé facility in September of this year. After just two months at the academy he has accepted an athletic scholarship offer to attend the University of New Mexico (UNM) in January 2013. The UNM Lobos are currently ranked #1 out of the 203 NCAA Division I soccer teams with an undefeated record of 15-0-2, and UNM is the former school of current All-White centerback Andy Boyens.
“Choosing to be a Lobo was an easy decision for me. They are amongst top 25 ranked schools in the country for developing MLS (Major League Soccer) players, have some of the best facilities in the country, and an amazing fanbase. Other Kiwis who have seen UNM rave about the school, the football, and Coach Fishbein. I’m really looking forward to challenging myself at the next level, and playing in front of the 4,000+ Lobo fans at home matches.” Said Hilbron.
“This is a great moment first and foremost for Caleb and his family, he has worked very hard on and off the field to make this possible and Olé is very proud to have been part of this process. It is also great for the Olé Premier Academy programme that we have placed our first student-athlete at such a prestigious school before we have even officially started! It makes us very excited about the potential of the younger players that we have signed, as a major factor in Coach Fishbein’s (UNM Head Coach) decision was knowing that Caleb will spend the next year developing in our full-time environment.” Said Olé Director Nate Winkel.
Hilbron’s mother, Sian Whitfield, is proud and excited about her son’s accomplishments. “We chose Olé for the one-to-one training and tutoring to make Caleb a better footballer and student. Finally the focus was not just on winning games, but for Caleb to become a better, more successful player and student. Olé’s international connections also appealed to us and we are now very excited about UNM”
The Olé Premier Academy will officially kick off on January 16th.
For more information about the University of New Mexico see the below video links:
