RALEIGH, N.C. - Next week, William Peace University students will disperse from the downtown Raleigh campus and head to different parts of the world for spring break.
The men's soccer team will board a plane and head over the pond. Fresh off their first conference title and first trip to the NCAA tournament, the Pacers will spend spring break overseas, playing a series of soccer games, taking in some professional soccer, and getting the experience of a lifetime.
"I know myself and a bunch of the other guys, we've always wanted to go to England, specifically, just because that's the hub of soccer," sophomore captain Gavin Beaupre said. "This is one of the greatest opportunities to tour and play soccer.
The NCAA allows programs to have one foreign trip every four years. This is the first time the Pacers have taken this trip. They will visit Manchester, England, and Glasgow, Scotland, playing one game in each city.
They'll also attend two professional games and have a film/training session with former Manchester United assistant coach Mike Phelan.
The Pacers are coming off a historic season in 2024. They won the USA South Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament, a pair of firsts for the Peace soccer program.
Head coach Ryan Huber returns 23 players from last season and hopes to ride that momentum from the fall into this spring break trip.
"It's icing on the cake for the guys," Huber said. "I think this is a special year for the program. We won a championship, went to the NCAA tournament, got a (championship) ring, and now we're going to England and Scotland."
However, before agreeing to the trip, Huber asked the team their thoughts, knowing they would have to give up their spring break. It was a no-brainer.
"Nothing tops this," Beaupre said with a massive grin. "I never really thought I would go on something like this. It's really cool."
The team will attend a Manchester United game, one of the many opportunities to bond during the trip.
That team aspect of us adds to what we already have," Beaupre said. "It's going to bring us closer together for the rest of the spring season, and then going into the summer, and then we'll stay close."
William Peace University offers study abroad trips each year for students. While this isn't the same type of trip, it will be an educational experience for the soccer players.
They'll experience a week in two foreign lands, taking in the sights and sounds.. But there are also games to win. Huber wants his guys to enjoy the experience, but when it's game time, he wants them to compete.
"We're going there to win two games," Huber said. "There's no pressure on us because there's no standings; it's not a championship or anything like that. But I think that goes along with our culture in our program - let's enjoy doing this together, and when the whistle blows, we'll get after it and compete at as high of a level as possible."
Beaupre and his teammates want to show the world Americans take soccer seriously.
"We're going to give it a good, lasting impression," Beaupre said. "You know, set an example for William Peace University and our country."
