Hendrix Excels in European Pro League
1/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss soccer placed Brooke Hendrix on the right path to earn a professional contract in Switzerland.
Hendrix experienced hardships, though, before earning her contract.
Entering the draft but not being selected and then hearing a no from teams overseas after traveling across the pond would've stopped some, but Hendrix continued to improve her game to make her dream become a reality.
Before leaving the states, Hendrix also left records here in Hattiesburg.
During her time as a Golden Eagle, Hendrix made a name for herself as a center midfielder. In her four years, Hendrix made the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll each year.
On the field, Hendrix led the 2013 team with seven assists, which puts her at the No. 4 spot in Southern Miss history for the most assists in a season. With those seven assists in 2013, Hendrix finished her collegiate career with 10 assists placing her eighth overall with career assists.
Her hard work and effort on the field was rewarded with 63 starts over her 71 games played, adding to more records she holds at Southern Miss.
"I loved every minute of my time at Southern Miss," Hendrix said. "We became more of a team by the time of my senior year and I learned a lot about myself there. I knew I wanted to keep playing after and coach Mo helped me pursue that dream."
The idea of going pro was always in the back of Hendrix's mind, but the connections from her coach helped direct Hendrix in the direction of Alex Pama for training.
"Coach Mo has been a huge influence on me not only with his connections but with the support and enthusiasm he showed me when I first talked to him about the idea of playing pro," Hendrix said of Mohammed El-Zare, who coached while with the Golden Eagles. "It was what I needed and he got me to flip that switch mentally to make that dream happen."
Pama, a coach who has experience overseas in Holland and in the states, trained Hendrix before her first tryout. Training with Pama helped Hendrix point out her strengths and what she needed to do in order to succeed at the next level. Along with the training, El-Zare's encouragement to reach the pro level helped Hendrix keep fighting toward her goal.
"Brooke was always a player that was very passionate about the game and that showed on the field," El-Zare said. "She was one of the most technically-gifted players I've coached here and when she told me she wanted to further her career, we focused and invested on training and Alex was the perfect fit with his past with pro teams."
Getting the tryout was one thing, but making the team was another. After training with Pama after her December graduation, Hendrix traveled to Holland for a two-week tryout but didn't make the team. Instead of letting it get the best of her, Hendrix let this hardship push her to get technically better and make the next one.
"I trained more intensively with Pama," Hendrix said. "I trained all spring and worked hard in order to make a team."
The workouts proved to work in favor of Hendrix when she made the Atlanta Silverbacks WPSL team this past summer. Hendrix started every game with the Silverbacks that went undefeated going into playoffs.
"Playing with them was another stepping-stone in my career," Hendrix said.
The experience Hendrix got from Atlanta helped her earn more tryouts overseas.
Hendrix tried out for AJAX F.C. in Holland but the team wanted a little more experience under her belt. Hendrix continued to search for that team and found it with Rangers Ladies F.C. in Scotland.
Playing with Rangers Ladies F.C. gave Hendrix the introduction she had been looking for in European soccer. Hendrix matured in her mindset through adapting to this new style worked on her technical approach of the game as opposed to the more physical style of the game played in America. In six matches, Hendrix scored one goal and played 465 minutes.
"The biggest difference was the footwork and technique European teams play with," Hendrix said.
"Growing up, if you ran fast, you hit hard and finish, you succeeded. I've learned a lot from them and trying to keep up with their technique on the ball."
The speed of the game and the technicality of the footwork helped Hendrix become a better player. The need to be mentally strong and learn the style has given Hendrix another skill as a player.
Hendrix's fighting spirit all started in Hattiesburg where she learned a lesson she keeps with her to this day.
"The challenge of wanting to get better helped me be more mentally tough and enjoying the time whenever you have it, no matter if you're winning or losing," Hendrix said.
As Hendrix's former Rangers F.C. team's season is in the trading period, Hendrix continued to search for another team instead of waiting for something to come to her. Her determination led to a contract with FC Staad in Switzerland on Jan. 17. Hendrix leaves for Switzerland at the end of January and will join FC Staad for their second half of the season. FC Staad looks to climb the table before their season concludes in June.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to make an impact on this team," Hendrix said. "I'm blessed to be given this shot and will use my training and efforts from these last few months and plan on continuing this hard work not only for myself and this team, but for the people who have believed and supported me as well."