International student athletes at a minimum at MCC
Kathryn Beck
International students are all around the campuses of two year and four year colleges.
However, some of them are student athletes, looking to continue to play the sport they love.
These student athletes come from various countries and come not only to compete in athletics but in the classroom as well.
“We have only had two international players come play for us; one from Serbia and one from Australia,” said Women’s head basketball coach, Kori Stephenson.
Other junior colleges, such as Eastern Arizona College, can offer scholarships for its international student athletes.
Meanwhile for MCC, along with the other colleges in the Maricopa Community College district, recruiting is limited to instate athletes.
“Many of the international athletes come on their own and we’ll get referrals from the international student office if they are interested in playing at MCC,” said MCC athletic director John Mulhern.
Mulhern also said that the athletic department has seen international athletes compete in sports such as soccer, tennis, basketball, and golf over the years at MCC.
Freshman Haley Thomson is from Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia.
She chose to compete for the Thunderbirds after finishing her high school career.
“I really wanted to keep playing basketball and there aren’t that many options in Australia after high school,” said Thomson.
But Thomson’s path to playing at MCC is different than most student athletes coming to the states to play college athletics.
Thomson is a duel citizen of the United States and Australia and has family in Arizona.
“When I was still in high school my mom talked to the coach and she said I was welcome to join the team,” said Thomson.
Thomson also said that she likes the program and the team is like a family.
One of the biggest obstacles that these student athletes face is having the money to go to school in the US.
“If they want to come here they definitely have to be finically set,” said Stephenson.
These student athletes also can excel in the classroom. Both Mulhern and Stephenson agree that they work very hard academically and are independent too.
“They’re good students and it helps the athletic program and the culture when they come here,” said Mulhern.
