« Men’s Soccer 2011

Jack Pearson

School
Dayton
Position
Defender
Major
Sport Management
G
0
A
2
PTS
2

Classroom

Pearson is not only a contributor on the field, but also in the classroom. He has served as a teaching assistant for the Sport Management department. During his junior season, Pearson was nominated for Academic All-Atlantic 10 honors. He carries a 3.1 GPA and is Sport Management major.

Character

Pearson is widely recognized as one of Dayton’s leaders on and off of the pitch. As a junior, he was pivotal in helping develop team cohesion during a season which saw 17 newcomers to Dayton’s roster. He has embraced his role as a captain, helping organize independent workouts for members of the team. Pearson has also served as a mentor to younger players, helping them set goals for themselves and the team for the year. Also, Pearson arrives early for preseason to help teammates settle into life on campus. He is also a leader by example. Pearson has finished in the top two during physical fitness testing during preseason, earning the team’s coveted Red Jersey during the preseason. He is also one of Dayton’s most-utilized players, finishing in the top three on the team for minutes played.

Community

Pearson was part of a team initiative to visit sick children in the hospital over Christmas breaks. He met with the families of the patients and helped bring cheer and gifts to the children over the holiday. Pearson has been instrumental in coaching younger players during free clinics hosted by the team during the course of the season. In addition, he has also mentored young students of the game at specialized clinics for youth soccer players in Trotwood, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton.

Competition

A gritty defender for the Flyers, Pearson has regularly been one of UD’s top performers, finishing in the top 3 for minutes in each previous season. In 2010, he was selected Second Team All-Atlantic 10 and earned a spot on the NSCAA’s All-East Region Third Team. He played a pivotal role on Dayton’s defense, helping them earn eight shutouts on the year, tying for the second-most shutouts in a season in UD history. For his efforts he earned the Coaches Achievement Award and the team’s Red Jersey in preseason for being the most physically fit in training camp. The Coventry, England, defender made 18 consecutive starts and finished with a total of seven points during the 2009 season. He was named to the Atlantic 10 Preseason Men’s Soccer All-Conference Team and was an Atlantic 10 Honorable Mention. He made an immediate impact for the Flyers in his rookie campaign, being named Dayton’s Defender of the Year. He helped UD to its first NCAA appearance under Head Coach Dennis Currier after starting 21 games and playing the second-most minutes on the squad with 1,948. He was part of a defensive core that did not allow a goal in 455:05 minutes, all against A-10 opponents which helped UD to an eight-game unbeaten streak. Pearson was tabbed to the 2008 College Soccer News All-America Freshman Third Team and the Atlantic 10’s All-Rookie Team.