WVU Tech men’s soccer team to host inaugural ID Camp in April

This spring, soccer players from West Virginia and beyond will have an opportunity to showcase their skills and learn alongside college soccer players at the first Golden Bears ID Camp on Saturday, April 13.

During the three-hour camp, boys ages 15-18 will have a chance to play against WVU Tech varsity players and coaches to learn from advanced players and connect with other players from throughout the region. Parents and attendees will also have a chance to chat with coaches during the event.

Oliver Hewitt-Fisher is the head coach of the WVU Tech men’s soccer team. He said that students at the camp will get to work with a talented squad of players.

“We had a very strong season, and the majority of our starting players are returning, so I think we’ll have a strong team again next year,” he said.

Assistant coach Luka Pauk said the camp serves several purposes.

“Students will be exposed to high-quality instruction at an early age. For us, it’s a chance to identify high school soccer talent from the region. These kids don’t always look at Tech as an option for college where they can play soccer. We want to change that,” he said.

Hewitt-Fisher and Pauk both coach in the local Legacy Football Club, an organization devoted to developing and mentoring soccer players in the region.

“This camp is a chance for kids to compete against players from all over the world and to be exposed to something new. Our varsity players will be participating and playing against these kids, giving them pointers along the way,” Pauk said.

“The expertise and the knowledge that our international players and coaches bring is definitely something we can utilize to lift the local youth soccer. We have an All-American player who also played at the top level in Spain,” he added.

For Coach Hewitt-Fisher, that expertise is great for spotting elite potential among local players.

“We’re trying to mix that in with some local talent, which is certainly here,” he said.

“When we made it to the NAIA Elite Eight in 2016, two of our key players were Drew Lytton and Hunter Moles, who are both local guys. The level of soccer here is very good.”

The camp costs $50 per player and is open to beginners and elite players alike. Players will need to register using an online form.

WVU Tech’s Office of Admissions will also be conducting tours of campus before the camp for students interested in learning more about college.