It’s no big secret that South Carolina has made every effort to raid the Tar Heel state for top talent and the Gamecocks have been successful. But that doesn’t mean they have neglected the players within the borders. Midfielder Jason Chapman grew up a Gamecock, now he’s preparing to be one.
A Spartanburg native, Chapman was raised on South Carolina athletics. He spotted the Gamecocks as a youth and set his sights on becoming a Division I soccer player at the state’s flagship university.
Assistant coach
Bert Molinary spotted the right-footed player early in his high school career and it didn’t take long between the time the Gamecocks offered to the time Chapman committed.
“I always wanted to play at South Carolina and it was my number one choice,” Chapman said. “I’m from South Carolina and it would be awesome to play for the in-state school. Coach Molinary saw me at the Palmetto Cup in the ninth grade, I went to a camp and started talking to the coaches. I went on an unofficial visit and just loved everything about South Carolina.”
The last couple summers, Chapman has traveled to Columbia to participate in the Gamecock Elite Camp. This time around, having committed to USC in early April, he was playing on the field he knew would be his future home.
He also used that time to get to know some of his teammates, some of which are now on freshmen on campus, others enrolling with him, and still more in the class a year behind him.
“The Elite Camp was outstanding. There were tons, and tons of good players there,” Chapman said. “I got to play with the recruits from the 2009 and 2010 class and got to know them really well. We talked a lot and I’m excited about playing with those guys.”
One of the players Chapman is close to is current freshman Ryan Goodwin. The pair trained at the same complex in Charlotte, N.C. over the summer and competed on the same club team that traveled to Costa Rica.
Chapman and his teammates with the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA) team were 3-0-1 with a victory over the Costa Rican national team at the under-17 level. The rising senior at Dorman High School had a chance to see Goodwin’s first collegiate assist in an exhibition game against High Point.
“I thought they played really, really well,” Chapman said. “The field looks great with all the renovations and I thought South Carolina dominated High Point and things look good for this season.”
Like last summer when he was training for the Costa Rica trip, Chapman will forego his high school soccer season and train again in Charlotte. While he will bounce back and forth up I-85 between home and the complex, Chapman will also journey down I-26 to see his Gamecocks play.
“I’ve been going to pretty much all the game and trying to support the team,” Chapman said.
Chapman has a busy fall with his CESA team as he continues to hone his skills for the collegiate level. A right midfielder and part-time right back for his club side, the playmaker has the attitude to succeed at USC.
“One thing I enjoy doing is getting the ball and combining with someone and getting into the attack fast,” Chapman said. “I think one thing they really like is my attitude. I always work hard and give 120% every game. I always look to try my hardest to get better and whatever I’m trying to do.”
That hard work and effort level made USC take notice and Chapman knows that’s what it will take to succeed.
