Windham High graduate Connor LeClerc received one final recognition for his time on the varsity boys’ soccer team before he heads to the University of Southern Maine in Gorham this fall to major in exercise science and play college soccer. LeClerc was one of 43 senior boys’ players nationwide to be a part of the United Soccer Coaches 2023-2024 High School Scholar All-America team.
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| Windham High graduate Connor LeClerc displays his certificate and medal as one of 43 boys nationwide to be chosen for the United Soccer Coaches 2023-2024 High School Scholar All America Team. He's headed to the University of Southern Maine this fall to play college soccer. PHOTO BY RACHEL LECLERC |
“I had always held myself to a very high standard in the classroom and on the soccer field,” said LeClerc. “To me this was the perfect way to end my senior season. It felt good to be recognized for my hard work not just on the soccer field, but also in the classroom. This award was the one that I felt the strongest about and was really hoping to be honored with. When I got the call from Coach Neal, it made me feel as though all the work I had put in the last four years was worth it. It also motivated me to continue working harder than I ever have as I take on harder challenges in college.”
To be eligible for this award a player must have a Grade Point Average of 3.75 and above through the first semester of their senior year – LeClerc’s GPA was a solid 4.00. Nominations come from high school coaches and the athletes must have shown excellence on the soccer field and also have performed community service of some kind.
When LeClerc started playing soccer at 3, he never knew how big a role it would play in his life. His father’s passion for the game is what motivated him at a young age to keep playing. LeClerc has been playing year-round since he was in middle school.
“Connor is very deserving (of this honor) because he stands out on the field,” said teammate and Windham graduate Nick Marion. “He also stands out in the classroom; he puts a lot of effort into his schoolwork and is always willing to lend a hand whenever it is needed.”
According to LeClerc, it took a lot of self-discipline to excel on the field and in the classroom. Late-night homework was no fun, but LeClerc knew it was necessary. His mother was a big advocate for him and made sure he stayed on top of his schoolwork. LeClerc said none of this would have been possible without the amazing teachers at Windham who were always there for him when needed.
“Connor places the idea of team before himself,” said Windham varsity boys’ soccer coach Jeff Neal. “He is also a very coachable athlete. Early in his junior preseason he volunteered to play a position that was identified as a team priority, yet one he had never played before and was definitely something out of his comfort zone. In an incredibly short period of time, Connor transformed himself and meteorically emerged as a premier player at that field spot. He isn’t afraid to put in the work, and he expects others to do the same. This was also witnessed this past fall as he helped captain Windham to a season record of 14-1-1. Whether it be on-field leadership, behind the scenes locker room interactions, being the face of the program and interacting-mentoring our youth soccer players – I had complete trust in Connor to do the right thing. He can be counted on to be a leader in the classroom. He managed a challenging and diverse course load of studies, and he prides himself on doing his best and being successful. The caliber of athlete, student, and all-around human being that he consistently demonstrates has placed him as one of the very best I’ve had the pleasure of working with in my thirty-plus years of coaching and teaching.”
LeClerc says that he would like to thank his family and friends for being there and supporting him, his teachers for pushing him to be a great student, and all of the coaches who helped develop him into a great soccer player. He would like to give a special thank you to Coach Neal who changed his soccer career and was more than just a coach to him in the past two years. <
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