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  • Brandon Barrett, middle, signs to play soccer at Concord University, while his parents, Steve and Tina, sit beside of him. Looking on are Princeton Principal Jack Parker and Barrett’s high school coaches, Steve Bailey and Shawn LeMouthe. Barrett’s dad, Steve, will also be his coach at Concord. Matt Christian

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August 7, 2012

Still kicking: Tigers’ Barrett chooses Concord to continue soccer career

By MATT CHRISTIAN Princeton Times

PRINCETON — Princeton Tigers center-midfielder Brandon Barrett accomplished a dream on Tuesday morning.

Under the watchful eyes of Princeton Senior High School Principal Jack Parker, his high school coaches Steve Bailey and Shawn LaMouthe, and his parents, Barrett signed to continue his soccer career at Concord University.

After he finished signing the paperwork, Barrett explained that he had chosen Concord for its proximity to his home, the opportunity to continue his career in the WVIAC, and to be a part of the athletic training program when he’s not on the soccer pitch.

“I’ve been hearing from my dad [Concord Head Coach Steve Barrett],” Brandon said. “He says it’s going to be a completely different program this year over there.”

With lots of new faces joining the team this season, Barrett’s not sure where on the field that he’ll be playing. At Princeton, he was a center mid-fielder, “the quarterback of the soccer field,” but additions to the team have created a glut of players at that position.

“I’m open to anything, really,” Barrett said. “If I can play center midfield, that’s what I’ll do, but if I have to go to be developed somewhere else, that’s what I’ll do.”

After his son finished, Steve explained that he didn’t know who the Mountain Lions would be playing on the pitch this season.

“Literally, we have no idea who our starting lineup is going to be,” Steve said. “We’re going to play whoever is going to give us what we’re asking for on the field and in the classroom.”

Jokingly, Brandon’s mom, Tina, said that having two people associated with the same team would be hard for her if the Mountain Lions lost.

More seriously, Tiger coaches, Steve Bailey, who coached Brandon his first three seasons of high school, and Shawn LeMouthe, Brandon’s coach his senior season, were proud to see another Tiger join the ranks of collegiate soccer players.

“I’m just excited to get to see [Brandon] get to follow his dream,” LeMouthe said.

Bailey added that the younger Barrett was part of a burgeoning tradition of Tigers soccer players going to play in college.

He said, “This just adds to the tradition at Princeton. We’ve had a player go to college for the last four seasons.”

— Contact Matt Christian at mchristian@ptonline.net.

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