Player: Quinn Liebmann

Graduating high school in December to go to college early is a big sacrifice. Coming to school halfway through the year, and in a dorm that wasn't with most other freshman was tough. But it was a sacrifice that Quinn Liebmann made for the love of the game. The 2015 Gatorade Colorado Boys Soccer Player of the Year is determined to do whatever it takes to continue playing soccer at a high level. As the captain for his high school team, Boulder High, Liebmann led his team to the State Championship after scoring 5 goals and tallying seven assists in his senior campaign. The talented midfielder signed his letter of intent to play his college ball at Old Dominion University, a regular visitor in the NCAA tournament. 

“Quinn Liebmann is a versatile player who does everything well,” said Cehlo Curi, the head coach of Cherry Creek. “He is not a player who looks to stand out. Rather, he works hard to do the work others don’t want to do.”

Here are 18 questions with the Old Dominion midfielder Quinn Liebmann.  

1. How old are you? I am 18 years old.

2. How did you get into soccer? I got into soccer when my dad put me into the YMCA soccer league, I just fell in love with the game.

3. What is one skill you think every player needs to cultivate?  I think control of the ball is what every player needs to cultivate. 

4. Who were your soccer heroes growing up? My soccer heroes growing up have been: Ronaldinho, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilsher and Messi of course!

5. You signed your Letter of Intent (LOI) to Old Dominion and graduated high school early to go out there sooner. How did you decide to go there and what was your first semester of college like?  I decided to go to ODU for the soccer of course. They are a top 20 division 1 soccer school, so that was a big factor. I've always wanted to be on the east coast and it's in a pretty nice location. It's on the Chesapeake Bay and the edge of campus is on the water. It's 20 minutes from Virginia beach, has new facilities, and is an up and coming school. My first semester was hard. It is hard coming into college halfway through the year, especially coming straight from high school. I was not in the same dorm as some of my fellow freshmen so that made it even harder. It was a good experience but I think everything will only get better..

6. What is Norfolk, Virginia like?  Norfolk, Virginia is more of an East Coast place rather than a Southern place. Of course there are some very southern people. It's a big culture change coming from Boulder to Virginia. It is diverse which I really like. It is not all gluten free and organic haha. The ocean is nice and there is a giant navy base.

7. Old Dominion made it into the College Cup tournament the last 5 years, what are you hoping to bring to the team?  I'm hoping to bring my fluidity on the ball and my attacking mentality.

8. What is one thing you are focusing on improving before you return to campus?  I actually sprained my MCL, so right now I have been just resting trying to get better. But I also have been lifting a lot. Division 1 athletes, especially at my school, are huge!

9. What advice would you give to younger kids who dream about playing college soccer? That anything is possible that you put your mind to. It definitely isn’t an easy road; it takes hard work and dedication but it’s all worth it when you make it. 

10. What is your greatest moment on the pitch?  My greatest moment on the pitch was this past high school season and it was just being on the soccer field playing with my best friends.

11. What was your worst moment on the pitch?  My worst moment on the pitch was losing the state championship game to a team we beat in the regular season.

12. How did you get past this moment? I used it as motivation. 

13. You decided to go the college route. What advice would you give to young kids who want to go pro but can't decide between going to college and entering a development system? I think that if there's a will there's a way. If you want to go pro, you can still go pro after playing college soccer.

14. What music do you listen to before games? I actually listen to Spanish music, it gets me in the right mindset.

15. Where does your motivation come from while you're playing? My motivation comes from my dad. He has always been there for me since I was a little kid so I am always trying to make him proud.

16. Messi or Ronaldo? Ronaldo is amazing but Messi is in a class of his own. He is the greatest. 

17. What other sports and activities do you enjoy when you're not playing soccer?  Growing up in Colorado I have always loved to ski and snowboard.

18. Where will we see Quin Liebmann in 5 years? Hopefully playing professional soccer. That's the goal.