After a memorable career with the Knoxville Football Club, Luke Mishu has announced that he recently committed to Notre Dame University. Mishu, who won five state championships with John Craven’s KnoxCrush-Liverpool team, ended an intense recruiting battle for one of the best soccer players East Tennessee has ever produced. He chose Notre Dame over Indiana, Northwestern, Princeton, and Michigan State.
Although he is a student at Knoxville Catholic High School, Mishu said that picking Notre Dame is more than just a Catholic connection.
“Once I went to visit the campus, I knew it was a perfect fit for me,” he said. “Notre Dame has always been at the top of my list of colleges because of its consistent soccer prestige and academic excellence.”
One of the hardest parts of his decision was turning down a legendary Indiana program, winners of seven national championships and owners of the best all-time winning percentage in NCAA soccer. The Hoosiers recruited the KnoxCrush player as hard as any college, keeping constant contact throughout the entire process. Mishu, who eventually hopes to attend medical school, felt that Notre Dame offered a better overall package.
“Turning down Indiana was probably the hardest decision that I had to make,” he said. “They are the most respected soccer program in the country and produce high quality professionals year-in and year-out. I would have taken the opportunity to play there had my decision been solely soccer-based. However, since I hope to get more out of college than athletics, I decided to commit to Notre Dame.”
Notre Dame’s soccer program may not have the illustrious past of Indiana, but they were strong contenders in the Big East this year. The Fighting Irish made it to the conference championship game before falling to Saint Johns in a penalty kick shootout. Notre Dame then won their first round NCAA tournament game.
Mishu, who burst on the local high school scene when he led Catholic to a state championship as a sophomore, is known as a skilled, creative player who excels defensively. However, Notre Dame coaches feel that he can also contribute as an attacker.
“Although I have played sweeper for the majority of my club career, Notre Dame sees me as an attacking outside back,” Mishu said. “The coaches see me playing anywhere along the back line, but more specifically on the outside.”
Mishu described the recruiting process as “intimidating”. Between the fall and spring seasons of his junior year, he took five college visits. This whirlwind schedule, combined with heavy pressure from persistent suitors and a constantly ringing phone, was certainly a lot for a teenager to manage. Overall, the experience was a unique and enriching for a local player.
“Some coaches I met with were national team coaches, and others had won national championships, and I was a soccer player from Knoxville, Tennessee.”
Despite the fact that academics played such a major role in his decision, Mishu still aspires to play professionally after college.
“I plan to take soccer as far as soccer can take me,“ he said earnestly. “Whether that is to the MLS, to the English Premier League, or just through college. I do not want to look back on my career and say that I wish I would have tried it.”
Mishu spent nearly his entire club soccer career playing for either the Knoxville Football Club or current KnoxCrush coaches. He played for John Craven (U15-U18), Scott Muir (U14-U15), and Filip Leander (U10-U12). Mishu stated that playing for Crush-Liverpool as a high school student opened up many doors.
“Because it was such a good team it gave me the opportunity to be seen by some of the top colleges,” he said. “Due to our high level of competition, I was constantly growing as a player. Our practices were serious, yet fun. It wasn’t as much a drill as it was a learning experience.”
Luke Mishu is known in the soccer community as a solid citizen and great role model for younger players. He is eager to offer advice to those wishing to pursue college soccer. He recommends that players attend as many college camps as they can to get noticed.
“Only one university that was recruiting me contacted me due to showcase tournaments,” he added. “Many times really good players get unnoticed in game situations. Most coaches only stay for a half or less. A camp gives the coaches a solid three to seven days.”
Many local coaches are excited about the announcement. “Luke Mishu to Notre Dame is huge for Knoxville soccer,” says Crush coach Darrick Lubell, “We’ve had some good players come from this area, but this puts a local player in the national spotlight.”
Knoxville Crush Director of Coaching Shane Moore agrees. “We’re thrilled that Luke is from our club,” Moore says, “But regardless of what club he is from, it shows local players that major opportunities are out there.”
With his college choice behind him, Mishu can focus on one last run to a state championship with Catholic High School. He is the son of Firas and Leslie Mishu, and has four siblings who have all played competitive soccer.
Luke Mishu’s Guide to College Soccer:
1. Contact coaches whenever attending showcases or camps. The best was way to get a coach’s attention is to be a nag.
2. Just because you are the best now, doesn’t mean you’ll be the best forever. I have seen many young, outstanding athletic players fall behind. As you become an older, more experienced player, it is often the person who works the hardest that will stay ahead.
3. Don’t count out any possibilities. My freshman and sophomore year I thought my soccer career would be ending in high school. A lot of things change. Just because you are not the best player now doesn’t mean you won’t be next season or the season after.
4. College coaches really don’t like ball hogs. I know you’ve heard this as many times as I have but it really is true. Even though it may seem like college coaches are looking for the superstars, they aren’t. They like to build their team around a solid group of team players that will contribute in all areas of the game.
5. If you can, try to observe a team practice as well as a game. I found that watching a practice really gave me a feel for the coaching/playing style of the team.
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Luke Mishu Commits to Notre Dame
Although he is a student at Knoxville Catholic High School, Mishu said that picking Notre Dame is more than just a Catholic connection.
“Once I went to visit the campus, I knew it was a perfect fit for me,” he said. “Notre Dame has always been at the top of my list of colleges because of its consistent soccer prestige and academic excellence.”
One of the hardest parts of his decision was turning down a legendary Indiana program, winners of seven national championships and owners of the best all-time winning percentage in NCAA soccer. The Hoosiers recruited the KnoxCrush player as hard as any college, keeping constant contact throughout the entire process. Mishu, who eventually hopes to attend medical school, felt that Notre Dame offered a better overall package.
“Turning down Indiana was probably the hardest decision that I had to make,” he said. “They are the most respected soccer program in the country and produce high quality professionals year-in and year-out. I would have taken the opportunity to play there had my decision been solely soccer-based. However, since I hope to get more out of college than athletics, I decided to commit to Notre Dame.”
Notre Dame’s soccer program may not have the illustrious past of Indiana, but they were strong contenders in the Big East this year. The Fighting Irish made it to the conference championship game before falling to Saint Johns in a penalty kick shootout. Notre Dame then won their first round NCAA tournament game.
Mishu, who burst on the local high school scene when he led Catholic to a state championship as a sophomore, is known as a skilled, creative player who excels defensively. However, Notre Dame coaches feel that he can also contribute as an attacker.
“Although I have played sweeper for the majority of my club career, Notre Dame sees me as an attacking outside back,” Mishu said. “The coaches see me playing anywhere along the back line, but more specifically on the outside.”
Mishu described the recruiting process as “intimidating”. Between the fall and spring seasons of his junior year, he took five college visits. This whirlwind schedule, combined with heavy pressure from persistent suitors and a constantly ringing phone, was certainly a lot for a teenager to manage. Overall, the experience was a unique and enriching for a local player.
“Some coaches I met with were national team coaches, and others had won national championships, and I was a soccer player from Knoxville, Tennessee.”
Despite the fact that academics played such a major role in his decision, Mishu still aspires to play professionally after college.
“I plan to take soccer as far as soccer can take me,“ he said earnestly. “Whether that is to the MLS, to the English Premier League, or just through college. I do not want to look back on my career and say that I wish I would have tried it.”
Mishu spent nearly his entire club soccer career playing for either the Knoxville Football Club or current KnoxCrush coaches. He played for John Craven (U15-U18), Scott Muir (U14-U15), and Filip Leander (U10-U12). Mishu stated that playing for Crush-Liverpool as a high school student opened up many doors.
“Because it was such a good team it gave me the opportunity to be seen by some of the top colleges,” he said. “Due to our high level of competition, I was constantly growing as a player. Our practices were serious, yet fun. It wasn’t as much a drill as it was a learning experience.”
Luke Mishu is known in the soccer community as a solid citizen and great role model for younger players. He is eager to offer advice to those wishing to pursue college soccer. He recommends that players attend as many college camps as they can to get noticed.
“Only one university that was recruiting me contacted me due to showcase tournaments,” he added. “Many times really good players get unnoticed in game situations. Most coaches only stay for a half or less. A camp gives the coaches a solid three to seven days.”
Many local coaches are excited about the announcement. “Luke Mishu to Notre Dame is huge for Knoxville soccer,” says Crush coach Darrick Lubell, “We’ve had some good players come from this area, but this puts a local player in the national spotlight.”
Knoxville Crush Director of Coaching Shane Moore agrees. “We’re thrilled that Luke is from our club,” Moore says, “But regardless of what club he is from, it shows local players that major opportunities are out there.”
With his college choice behind him, Mishu can focus on one last run to a state championship with Catholic High School. He is the son of Firas and Leslie Mishu, and has four siblings who have all played competitive soccer.
Luke Mishu’s Guide to College Soccer:
1. Contact coaches whenever attending showcases or camps. The best was way to get a coach’s attention is to be a nag.
2. Just because you are the best now, doesn’t mean you’ll be the best forever. I have seen many young, outstanding athletic players fall behind. As you become an older, more experienced player, it is often the person who works the hardest that will stay ahead.
3. Don’t count out any possibilities. My freshman and sophomore year I thought my soccer career would be ending in high school. A lot of things change. Just because you are not the best player now doesn’t mean you won’t be next season or the season after.
4. College coaches really don’t like ball hogs. I know you’ve heard this as many times as I have but it really is true. Even though it may seem like college coaches are looking for the superstars, they aren’t. They like to build their team around a solid group of team players that will contribute in all areas of the game.
5. If you can, try to observe a team practice as well as a game. I found that watching a practice really gave me a feel for the coaching/playing style of the team.