When Covenant Christian senior soccer player Connor Bascle put pen to paper on Monday afternoon, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream and 14 years of work.
"It's really exciting," Bascle said. "This has been my dream since I started playing soccer at four years old."
Bascle signed to play college soccer for Bethel University in Tennessee, and just like his time on the field, he had his family by his side. Bascle not only produced one of the greatest individual seasons in CCA soccer history — scoring a school-record 29 goals while also adding 18 assists — he did it as his father, Matt, watched from the sidelines as a CCA assistant coach.
"This is the proudest moment of my life," Matt said. "Nothing has meant more to me than to be able to share the field with him. What father wouldn't want that?"
Being a son of a coach wasn't always easy, both Connor and Matt admit to that. But both also say that if they could do it over again, they wouldn't change a thing.
"It was good to keep a close relationship with my dad," Connor said. "He's always been there helping me. I could always get help inside or outside of soccer with him."
"I'm just excited to be able to help him along the way," Matt said. "The whole experience has been really worthwhile. Wouldn’t give up a single second of it for anything. The memories we have made over the years are what it’s all about. Those can never be forgotten."
Now, though, both Connor and Matt will adapt to new roles come August. At Bethel, Connor will become just a player — and not the coach's son — while Matt becomes just a fan watching from the bleachers. It's a big change, but both are ready to make it.
"It won't be that much different for me," said Connor. "I've had coaches other than my dad before, so I don't think it'll be too much difference."
"I’m just thrilled to have been a part of his journey as his coach. Now, I get to sit back and just be his dad and cheer him on from the other side of the field," said Matt. "I can’t wait."
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