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Dolphin soccer seniors commit to playing college ball

Kicking at King’s Point Jack Begley signed paperwork to play soccer for the Merchant Marine Academy last week. Also shown are former Bayside coach Ken McDonald, mother Carrie Begley and GBHS assistant coach Bobby Parrish. Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News In what could be the first two of several, GBHS Dolphin soccer seniors Jack Begley and Hayes Sperry signed paperwork to play college soccer last week.

Begley, the Dolphins’ leading scorer this past season and a three-year letter winner, signed with the Merchant Marine Academy, while Sperry, one of the team’s two goalkeepers, signed to play for Chaminade University in Honolulu.

“To get accepted to the Merchant Marines is a great honor. To be able to play soccer there is a greater honor,” said GBHS assistant soccer coach Bobby Parrish. “He’s a great leader...and a great young man.”

Begley, a two-year starter, was one of the team’s captains, was a key in the Dolphins making the regional finals for a fourth consecutive regional final – the longest such streak in school history.

Hawaii-bound Hayes Sperry signed a scholarship last week to play for Chaminade University in Honolulu. Also pictured are (seated): parents Bill and Susan Sperry. Standing (from left): Hunter Sperry, GBHS assistant coach Bobby Parrish, Dallas Texans Florida Director of Coaching David Kemp and DTF coach Craig Wallace. Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News “I'm not going there just to play soccer - I'm going there because of the school,” said Begley of the Kings Point, NYbased military academy. “It's an awesome place.”

Begley will be the third member of his family to play college soccer - his father played at the Naval Academy, while older sister Kate played at Central Florida..

As part of his military obligations, Begley will have to serve 100 days on a ship his junior year and 200 days his senior year.

“It’s very regimented,” Begley said. “Every year, you get more responsibility.”

“He's as good as it gets. It’s been a pleasure to be his coach. He's had a great upbringing,” said former Bayside coach Ken McDonald. “I can't say a bad thing about the guy.”

Begley needed one congressional or senatorial recommendation to get accepted at King’s Point. He got three – from Congressman Jeff Miller and Senators George LeMieux and Bill Nelson.

While Begley will need plenty of winter clothes, Sperry will need a lot of shorts at Chaminade.

“I think Coach Savage said it best - we had two of the best goalies in the whole country. You're always lucky if you have one of them,” Parrish said of Sperry, adding “I think I need to be his trainer.”

Sperry had some help from Dallas Texans Director of Coaching, who knew some of the Chaminade coaches personally. It wasn’t the only thing that drew him there. “Plus, it's Hawaii,” Sperry said with a smile.

“He works hard - he's a nice lad,” said his DTF coach Craig Wallace. “I think he’ll do well there.”

The Merchant Marine Mariners, a Division III school that plays in the Landmark Conference, went 15-4 this past season, losing to Swarthmore 2-1 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Chaminade Silverswords, a Division II school that plays in the Pacific West Conference, went 3-14 this season.

Tyler Willets, the Dolphins’ other keeper, is also looking to play college soccer, as well as several other Dolphin position players.