Ethan Joo signs college soccer player
Published on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 3:40 p.m.
Springwood held its third signing day of the week on Thursday, as Ethan Zhu signed to continue playing football at Limestone College in South Carolina.
Joo learned about Limestone after attending recruiting camp and began developing a relationship with the football coach. Zhu researched schools on his own and he believed that becoming a Saint was the right decision for him.
“This school is a really good fit for me,” Zhu said. “I’m really excited to study and compete at a Division II school.”
Although Zhu is excited to compete at the next level, he also believes competing in Division II is just the first step for him. Joo hopes to continue moving forward and excel on many levels.
Zhu's journey to Springwood and now Limestone was a winding one. Joo is originally from South Korea and moved to Pennsylvania during his sophomore year, eventually transferring to Springwood International School for his junior year and his senior year.
Zhu transferred to Springwood as a junior, but never actually touched the field as a Wildcat. Zhu played for UMA FC, a semi-professional soccer club based in LaGrange, Valley and surrounding areas.
UMA coach Andrew Joe has developed a relationship with Springwood's international school over the past few years. Joe helped Joe find a place at Springwood and has coached him his last two years of high school.
“I just saw his potential as a soccer player,” Joe said. “I've been pushing him to get better. His attitude has always been really good. He's very coachable. [and] Very disciplined. He always works hard as a player and a student. ”
Thanks to Springwood and UMA FC, Zhu was able to fully focus on improving as a player. As a student, Zhu had access to Springwood's weight room. Zhu spent all his free period either lifting weights with his own training regimen or doing additional exercises.
The long hours in the weight room and on the field added up. Zhu anchored UMA's starting keeper position in both seasons with the team.
Joe played a fundamental role in helping Joe improve his skills inside the net. Joe went out of his way to drive me to camp, which was a few hours away. UMA FC's practices are as intense as ever, and the competition continues to make Zhu a better player.
“He loved to drive me there. [talk] I told the coach about me,” Joe said about giving him a ride to soccer camp.
Springwood and Joe's relationship was mutually beneficial. Springwood has hosted several players from Korea and Joe's clubs over the past three years.
Coming to Springwood made life easier for Zhu, but it also required some adjustments. Moving from Korea to Pennsylvania was already a major cultural change, but then the Joos had to adapt to the southern culture.
Over time, Zhu got used to the way people in Chambers County spoke and fell in love with American cuisine.
“The food is really different, but I love ranch and pizza,” Zhu said. “They have a different culture…and it's always hard to talk to older people in the United States…I find it very easy to ask for help, which is really good.”
Zhu was known as a model student at Springwood. Although he did not play for the Wildcats, he became an important member of the Springwood family.