SAN DIEGO (July 22, 2021) – International Soccer Academy is pleased to announce the hiring of Thomas Caughlin as the on-site Marketing and Communications Director & Player Advisor for the inaugural Integrated Academy team at FC Schalke 04 kicking off in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on August 11, 2021.
This groundbreaking Integrated Academy brings together a carefully selected team of American soccer players born 2003/04 who were all approved by FC Schalke 04 scouts to live, train and compete in Germany at FC Schalke 04, one of the most successful youth soccer academies. The team will be integrated into the legendary academy known as The Knappenschmiede, opening the door for talented footballers from America to be coached exclusively by Schalke coaches and compete against other Bundesliga academy teams.
“I am honored and humbled to join International Soccer Academy,” Caughlin said. “This is such a tremendous opportunity for these young athletes, and I am looking forward to doing everything I can to help each player achieve their development goals and have a memorable experience. I am confident that there will be many doors opened over the next nine months for this group of elite players aspiring to play abroad.”
This joint program was created to provide American youth soccer players with a solid pathway for those aspiring to play abroad. For the first time ever, and for a full academic year, the top youth soccer players will follow the methodology of the Schalke player development program that mirrors how the club trains their youth players.
As International Soccer Academy’s Marketing and Communications Director, Caughlin will cover the team’s experiences and the players’ development, reporting through the International Soccer Academy website and social media channels. Caughlin will also tell the story of the Integrated Academy and its players on a broader scale, leading the domestic and international public relations efforts.
Prior to joining International Soccer Academy, Caughlin served as a Press Officer for U.S. Soccer and worked with hundreds of youth players and closely with many of today’s Senior National Team members, including Josh Sargent, Tyler Adams, Sergiño Dest and Tim Weah, as well as former Youth National Team coaches Tab Ramos, John Hackworth, Shaun Tsakiris, Brad Friedel and Omid Namazi. Caughlin also worked hand in hand with the now defunct U.S. Soccer Development Academy and each of U.S. Soccer’s Sport Development departments, including High Performance, Talent Identification, Coaching Education and Referee Programs.
As the on-site Player Operations Advisor, Caughlin will live in the same hotel as the players, working to ensure player well-being and academic excellence.
Caughlin also worked for the San Diego Chargers, Super Bowl XLVIII, KUSI-TV San Diego, Learfield Sports and the University of San Diego and has covered sports at the high school, college, amateur and professional levels.
Caughlin holds a BA from University of San Diego and an MBA from San Diego State University.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SOCCER ACADEMY (www.internationalsocceracademy.com): Founded by Eddie Loewen and Diane Scavuzzo in 2020, International Soccer Academy is the world’s leading youth soccer to professional career bridging program, with an ongoing mission to provide a solid pathway for elite players aspiring to play abroad. Providing real, authentic and expert development opportunities with top European professional soccer clubs, International Soccer Academy is focused on developing confident and successful players that are driven to reach their goals, whether that is to sign a professional soccer contract in Europe or the United States, or play Division 1 soccer.
To date, four International Soccer Academy players have signed contracts to be paid to play soccer.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Diane Scavuzzo
Co-Founder
diane@internationalsocceracademy.com
+1-858-531-8300
Thomas Caughlin
Marketing and Communications Director
Player Operations Advisor – FC Schalke 04
thomas@internationalsocceracademy.com
