![](https://www.sportsforceonline.com/blogs/wp-content/themes/mandigo/images/icons/bullet_sidebars_hide.png)
![](https://www.sportsforceonline.com/blogs/wp-content/themes/mandigo/images/icons/bullet_toggle_minus.png)
![](https://www.sportsforceonline.com/blogs/wp-content/themes/mandigo/images/icons/bullet_toggle_minus.png)
![](https://www.sportsforceonline.com/blogs/wp-content/themes/mandigo/images/icons/bullet_toggle_minus.png)
![](https://www.sportsforceonline.com/blogs/wp-content/themes/mandigo/images/icons/bullet_toggle_minus.png)
![](https://www.sportsforceonline.com/blogs/wp-content/themes/mandigo/images/icons/bullet_toggle_minus.png)
![](https://www.sportsforceonline.com/blogs/wp-content/themes/mandigo/images/icons/bullet_toggle_minus.png)
![](https://www.sportsforceonline.com/blogs/wp-content/themes/mandigo/images/icons/bullet_toggle_minus.png)
Jessica Donnelly Feature Athlete Interview – Signed with Hesston College
Posted by SportsForce in College, Commitments, High School, Inspiring Stories, Recruiting, Soccer, tags: college recruiting, College Soccer, girls soccer, hesston college, High School Recruiting, High school Soccer, jessica donnelly, sportsforceonline.com, womens soccer
1. Why did you decide to sign with Hesston College?
They actually found me–and it was a blessing! The soccer coach found me on berecruited.com. I decided to sign my letter of intent with Hesston College for many reasons. I wanted to attend a small college–most of my friends were going to OSU or U of O, both sporting over 25,000 students. Hesston only has 450 students enrolled. I wanted the lifetime experience of attending a school in a different state, a different geographical location, and I wanted to experience something that I have never experienced before. Hesston had everything I wanted all wrapped up in a bow.
2. Describe the excitement you feel about becoming a college student-athlete?
Excitement, are you kidding? It was beyond excitement, beyond words. I wish everyone could experience the thrill that I had when I heard that I received not only a soccer scholarship, but an opportunity grant on top of it. I was delighted. My dream was not only to attend college, but to also play soccer. This is a huge dream come true for me!
3. What advice would you give to other athletes looking to get recruited?
Don’t give up. Start early with having your parents videotape your games. If possible take only about 10 minutes of total video and some still shots and add some stats and facts about yourself. Don’t let anyone take your dream away from you and if one coach doesn’t think you have the skills or the speed, don’t let them discourage you. Sometimes their judgment of your abilities could be wrong, so keep practicing, training, stay clean and keep up your schoolwork. Eventually your hard work will pay off.
4. Who has been the biggest influence in your sports career and why?
Probably my parents–they went to every single game and practice, washed my practice gear, and made sure I had every opportunity to achieve my dream goal of playing college soccer.
5. What would you like to accomplish during your college sports career?
I would love to be picked up by a 4-year school. Currently, I will be playing for Hesston College in Kansas, which is only a 2-year private school. I would love to play for a D-3 or D-2 school; because of my height I doubt that I will be able to play D-1. But for now I am good, and am happy that I’m playing!
Over the last five years SportsForce Recruiting has helped over 1,000 student-athletes and families successfully navigate the college recruiting and athletic scholarship process while saving families on average $50,000 in college expenses.