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America is known as the home of the free and the land of opportunity. It's a place that people from many countries look to in order to start anew such as Eddie Mangan, a sophomore at Potomac State College of WVU.
Mangan, from Edinburgh, Scotland, came to America two years ago in order to find a second chance at education and to play a little soccer in the process. Mangan says, "I decided to chase the ever-elusive dream."
After high school, Mangan worked a 9- to 5-job at a bank, was a homeowner, a club soccer player, and was thinking of starting a career in buying property. When an opportunity presented itself for him to continue his education he changed gears.
He heard about a scholarship to attend a college in America for soccer players. It involved his being evaluated in an 11- on 11-soccer games. Based on his soccer skills and GPA he was given a choice from a list of schools to attend and play for.
On that list was Potomac State College of West Virginia University. Mangan says he chose PSC "because of the British players, (then) British coach, and it being a small college." The experience at PSC has been a great one for him; he has improved his grades and said, "I didn't realize how serious it (school) was. Once I applied myself it just shows what you can achieve." He continued on about PSC by saying, "Potomac State has definitely helped me find out about myself. I'm smarter than I thought I was."
Mangan aspires to be a soccer player, soccer broadcaster, and soccer coach. He is scheduled to graduate with an associate in arts degree in general studies in May. From there he has signed a letter of intent to play for Coastal Carolina after a spring-break trip that landed him a tryout and then an offer to play. He will transfer to Coastal next semester where he will start on a bachelor's degree in communication with a minor in journalism.
Mangan has grown fond of PSC partially due to helpful teachers, small class sizes, diversity and the scenery. The change was a little rough at times for him however. Besides the soccer style changing along with the terminology of the sport, Mangan's biggest issue was the slang. He said, " 'My bad' confused me for a long time." Along with phrases like "for real" and "what's up." He also said that the American players had to adjust to his slang as well with phrases as "cheers" and "you alright."
As an athlete who prides himself on his physical shape, Mangan said, "I hate how many fast food places there are around here." He has grown fond of the mountains around the area, as he likes to take long runs up and down them as part of his 25 -miles-a-week running schedule along with an equally extensive biking schedule.
Mangan has accomplished a lot in the short two years he has been at PSC. He has played two seasons for the Catamounts, he helps out the Frankfort girl's soccer team, works for the College as a Resident Assistant, will help coach a youth soccer team in the summer, and is a well-known and well-respected member of the College.
Despite being busy, Mangan does have times where he misses home. He uses music, pictures of home, and tries to keep his mind busy while he continues on. He said, "I think about what my parents have done for me and that makes me work harder."
Mangan thanks people like Red and Jane Wilson who were his American family; Linda Dean, an English professor at the College; and Nelson McEvoy, the man who got him involved in coaching for the opportunities, the roof over his head, and the chance to coach kids.
Mangan's "mind over matter" life philosophy has let him see "other options out there other than the 9-to-5." He has set out his goals to better himself and through hard work has accomplished a lot.
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