Hurricane Hotshot
Joe Salem, Men's Soccer
Jacqueline Malleo, Staff Writer
photo: Courtesy TU Athletics
Starting out as a walk-on freshman and rising to a position as captain, fifth-year senior Joe Salem always leads his team by example.
In a state where football dominates the athletic world, Salem has shown sports fans what the other “football” is all about through his talent and athleticism.
Salem and the Golden Hurricane soccer team are currently ranked No. 16 in the nation and have won the Conference USA title every year since 2007.
While soccer may not receive the same type of recognition as a lot of other sports, Salem thrives on the underestimation.
“I think not having recognition is a good thing because we are the underdogs on campus and it gives us more motivation to keep working harder,” Salem said.
A native of Akron, Ohio, Salem began his collegiate career as a walk-on center -midfielder and has risen in ranks to become one of the most highly touted collegiate soccer players in the nation.
“I came in as a walk-on and did not have a scholarship, so I always knew I had to work that much harder and study my opponents while pushing my teammates,” Salem said.
Salem is an international business major with a 3.1 GPA.
He is also one of the 15 semi-finalists for the 2009 Herman Trophy, which is awarded annually to the top collegiate player in the nation and is equivalent to the Heisman Trophy in football.
Salem has been featured as a C-USA first team member, College Soccer News Team of the Week, NCAA All-Midwest first team, C-USA All-Academic Honoree, and was also named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
“My favorite part of being a student-athlete is looking into the stands and seeing my friends supporting me,” Salem said.
The senior will continue the year in hopes of contributing to another conference title and proceed past the first round of NCAA tournament as he ends the final season of his collegiate career.
After graduation, Salem has plans of working in international business or playing in a professional soccer league either in the U.S. or internationally.
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