Three Brownwood High School Lions Soccer players signed Tuesday morning with Howard Payne University and McMurry University.
John Alsides, Kindry Kirbo, and Jacob Moore who have been playing together since they were about 4 years old are ready to play on the collegiate level according to their parents.
Head Boys Soccer Coach J. B. Gibbs stated that he is excited for all three, not only because they are signing today, but that they are continuing their education as well.
“I’m glad that they are going to continue their education along with soccer,” said Coach Gibbs. “Soccer is the vehicle they will use to continue their education, but more important is college, because it is not a given.”
Gibbs stated that all three were hard workers and that all three were going to good programs led by good men. He spoke of each, stating their strengths and improvements
“John was unbelievable this year,” said Gibbs. “Although he was not eligible to play on varsity due to moving to Brownwood, he stuck with it and played on the JV team knowing that he was good enough to be playing on the varsity team.”
“Kindry matured by leaps and bounds,” Gibbs said. “Last year he had a temper and this year he had zero problems with it. He kept his cool and became a leader of the team.”
“Jacob has three years in the program. He is a very talented hard worker, and he doesn’t allow others to outwork him,” Gibbs stated.
John Alsides is the son of John and Julie Alsides. He signed with McMurry and plans to major in kinesiology and have a coaching career in the future. He credits his early years of learning to his current success and opportunities.
“Everything I know and have learned about the game, was taught to me by Mike Ragsdale (who was his coach in the Cen-Tex Soccer Program),” said Alsides.
According to his mother, John was selected to play with the West Texas State ODP team. While on this team, he participated in the State of Champions ODP Tournament in Alabama. She explained John and Jacob have a dedication to the game included playing every Sunday on an adult team, the Leones, a Hispanic team in Comanche.
Kindry Kirbo is the son of Derek and Stephanie Kirbo. Kindry signed with Howard Payne and plans to major in business, possibly following in his father’s footsteps in the family business.
According to his parents, Kindry turned down an academic scholarship at Baylor. Because this scholarship would not allow him to play soccer, he decided not to accept it.
“We’re very excited for him and excited to see him continue to play. We’re very happy he’s staying close to home,” said his mother Stephanie. “Kindry wanted to stay here. He loves Brownwood and we have a very strong family base, and he wanted to stay in Brownwood.”
Jacob Moore is the son of Tina and Morris Moore. Jacob also signed with Howard Payne and plans to pursue a Health Science major, possibly becoming a pharmacist in the future.
Jacob said he is very excited to play for Howard Payne and looks forward to the challenge.
“On a scale of 1-10 in excitement, I’d say I’m a 7,” said Jacob who also noted it’s going to be a lot of work to play on the collegiate level.
According to his mother, Jacob has been dreamed of playing soccer on a higher level since a very young age.
“We’re very excited for him. He’s been dreaming of this since he was a little kid. We’re very glad that he’s staying local.”
Pictured above are Alsides, Kirbo and Moore signing. Below are more photos of the event.
Players with their parents and coaches. Left to right are: Coach Cotton, John Alsides, Sr., Julie Alsides, John Alsides, Derek Kirbo, Kindry Kirbo, Stephanie Kirbo, Tina Moore, Jacob Moore, and Coach J.B. Gibbs.
Coach Gibbs said a few words about the players and their time as Brownwood Lions.
