By Ahmad Smith
Interested in playing soccer at The Historic Tuskegee?
Tuskegee’s First Soccer Coach Matthew Tarpley emphasized that attracting students of high academic achievement and strong character will shape the foundation of Tuskegee’s men’s and women’s soccer teams. He and Women’s Head Coach Emanuel Stephens, along with a newly assembled staff of assistants and managers, are working in tandem to ensure the first season launches with stability and purpose.
Recruiting with Intention
Competing at the NCAA Division II level requires strategy.
“We are recruiting a lot of JUCO players,” Tarpley said. “It could present challenges if we rely solely on freshmen to get the job done.”
Experience matters. Maturity matters. But at Tuskegee, academics matter just as much.
When asked about early challenges, Tarpley shared a telling example. After heavily recruiting three transfer players, he later learned they would not be admitted due to the university’s academic standards. Tuskegee requires a minimum 3.0 GPA for transfer students.
“They take academics seriously at Tuskegee, which is impressive,” Tarpley said.
At a time when many programs bend standards for athletic gain, Tuskegee’s message is clear: the classroom comes first.
Building from Zero
There is also the reality of starting completely from scratch.
“We just don’t have anything yet,” Tarpley said candidly. “No goals, no balls, no practice equipment. Those soccer-specific things we need to run our program effectively. And we start in July, which is a quick turnaround.”
The honesty is refreshing. There is no illusion of instant success. No shortcuts.
Instead, there is a phrase that has quickly become the program’s unofficial mantra:
“Just wait until the fall.”
It is both promise and prediction.
A Message to the Next Generation
For young Black, Latinx, and urban players who have been told soccer is not a “real opportunity,” Tarpley offered a clear response.
“First and foremost, keep grinding. What you do in the classroom will immediately impact the opportunities you have after high school,” he said.
“Secondly, there are plenty of college soccer programs out there. If you are a hard worker and excel academically, there will be a spot for you.”
And finally:
“When it comes to setting the academic standard, Tuskegee has been a front-runner since 1881. If you are a hard worker and can succeed academically, I would love to speak with you about Tuskegee.”
The invitation is open. The foundation is being poured. The equipment may still be arriving. But, the vision is already clear.
Tuskegee University Men’s Soccer plans to host open tryouts in April 2026.
And if you are wondering whether the Golden Tigers will be ready?
Just wait until the fall.
For more information, contact Coach Matthew Tarpley at mtarpley@tuskegee.edu or by phone at 404-966-7066.
