Courtney Hofer: A perfect blend of talent and leadership headed to Italy

The goalkeeper and captain of UConn will be attending our program from September 2018. Italian professional soccer teams can’t wait to monitor Courtney’s performance on the pitch and we are sure she will do great things in Italy.

Courtney, tell us a bit about yourself and your background

            I grew up in a suburban, Connecticut town and I am the youngest of three kids. Soccer has always been my first love, I started playing when I was three, but I am happy playing or watching any sport. In our family football is a religion, specifically watching and cheering the Green Bay Packers. I grew up playing for SoccerPlus, a club founded by Tony DiCicco who taught me so much and helped me become the person I am today. I graduated high school early to head down to Texas to start my college career at TCU. After three years down there, I decided to come home and play my final year of college soccer at UConn. Off the soccer field, I love to cook.

Why did you choose to attend SMI in Italy?

            I chose SMI because it really couldn’t be a better fit. SMI will give me the chance to continue my soccer career and achieve my dream of playing professional soccer. Off the field it is an equally great fit. After I’m done with my playing career, I want to coach college soccer. Getting my master and coaching licenses in Italy will be a huge positive when I’m searching for jobs and can help me land the perfect job. Moving and living in Italy isn’t too bad either.

What excites you most about living one year in Italy?

            I am most excited about the soccer in Italy. It’s just such a great opportunity personally to be able to play in front of pro teams and have the chance to sign a pro contract. Besides that, I am also excited about the soccer culture. Being able to attend Series A matches and maybe even see Ronaldo play will be incredible. The other thing I am so excited about is the food and cooking. I absolutely love to cook and cannot wait to learning how to cook Italian dishes and just experience all of the wonderful food the country has to offer.

Do you already know how to make pasta?

            I do not know how to make pasta yet. I have watched plenty of documentaries on Netflix and plenty of cooking shows but I have yet to make it myself, but I can not wait to learn.

What if you like Italy so much that you do not want to go back to the US anymore?

            When I found out about this program and decided I wanted to pursue it my mom made me promise that I’d come home when I was done playing.  So even if I love Italy and don’t want to leave, I promised my mom I’d come back home.

Is your family planning on visiting you?

            100%!! My family is already starting to plan their trips and figure out when they want to come over. In addition, so many of our family friends have started planning trips and can’t wait to go over and see Italy and me.

How do you think a master’s degree in sports management and soccer coaching in Italy is going to help you in your future and in your soccer career?

            Getting my masters will be huge in my future after playing soccer. Most jobs in the college soccer are masters preferred, so to have my masters, and to have it in the field I want to pursue will help me get my dream job when I hang up my boots.

Which aspect of the program had the biggest impact to your final choice?

            As a whole, the program couldn’t be a better fit but the biggest impact on my final choice was for sure the soccer aspect. To be able to play in front of pro scouts and hopefully sign a contract is a dream come true.

SMI Press Office