Piotr Drwal, currently a sophomore, has verbally committed to Coach Tony Tocco and the Hawks at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri.
Rockhurst University has been a long-time soccer powerhouse under Coach Tocco who has coached the Hawks for over 41 years.
During that time, the Hawks college soccer teams have played in 22 National Championship Tournaments at the NAIA and NCAA levels. Coach Tocco is currently the 2nd winningest active intercollegiate soccer coach with over 600 wins under his belt.
Rockhurst was the final tryout for Piotr Drwal who had a very tough decision in choosing Rockhurst University.
Drwal also had tryouts at William Jewell University who competes in the same conference as Rockhurst.
NAIA #4 Columbia College also invited Drwal for two tryouts and devoted a great deal of positive energy towards his recruitment. The dedication of the coaching staff at Columbia College made the choice a very difficult one for Drwal.
But at the end of the day, Rockhurst University simply felt like the better fit for Drwal.
"I really hit it off with many people at Rockhurst on both visits," said Piotr Drwal. "What I liked best was that it wasn't only soccer people that I connected with, even though if feels like a soccer school; I connected with soccer players, yes. But, I also connected with teachers, advisors, administrators and even a Dean."
There is a very important lesson from this experience of Drwal's. He had choices to pursue his college career. But the choices were not because of his talent alone. The choices he had were at very good colleges because he also has very high grades.
Coach Farley hates to see Piotr go, but also understands what a great opportunity it is for him and how it affects the Wentworth Military College Soccer Program.
"This is obviously a great opportunity for Piotr," said Kevin Farley, Head Soccer Coach at Wentworth. "But, this is huge for our young program. For Piotr to be a top recruit at a prestigious soccer program such as Rockhurst, sends a strong signal to other 4-year Universities around the nation; the Red Dragons Soccer Program is a program to watch and a program that will produce strong soccer players and more importantly, players with strong character."
Drwal is the fourth player in the short 2-year history of Wentworth Military College soccer to move on to play college soccer at a NCAA institution.
The Wentworth Military College will certainly miss Piotr Drwal. But, it is more important to Coach Farley that Piotr continue to grow as a person and as a player.
"Piotr's dream has always been to play professional soccer," said Farley. "I told Drwal before he departed for Christmas Furlough, 'Piotr...you have never been closer to your dream than you are right this minute' and I meant it."
So chase your dream Piotr Drwal, this is only the beginning for you.
This is also only the beginning for the Wentworth Military College Red Dragons Soccer Program.
