GREENSBORO, Ga. — Q&A with Lake Oconee Academy senior and Lake Country United FC’s Kyle Beasley.

Where do you go to school/where do you work?
Kyle Beasley: I am a senior at Lake Oconee Academy. I work at Inaho Japanese Steak and Sushi.

What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Beasley: When I am not playing soccer I like going on the lake with my friends, going to the mall, watching Netflix and YouTube, and going to the gym.

When you close your eyes and dream about your future, what does that look like?
Beasley: When I imagine my future, I see myself in senior year of college as a much better player and person. I am about to get my degree in business administration and start my career in Sarasota, Florida. I have always wanted to live in Florida.

Ask someone in your family to pick one word to describe you. Who did you pick and what word did they use?
Beasley: My mom describes me as “passionate.”

As an athlete, what is a rule you live by?
Beasley: Motivation will fade, but discipline will stay when motivation leaves.

How would you describe your personality?
Beasley: I am goal-driven and focused. I love joking around with my friends. I am quiet around new people but make new friends very easily.

What is your favorite snack food?
Beasley: Coffee cake from Publix, blueberry muffins, Funyuns, and a Peach Nectarine Red Bull!

Favorite pregame song to listen to?
Beasley: BST (Blood Sweat Tears) by Polo G

Do you have a pregame ritual you always do?
Beasley: I pray before games, do a resistance band warm up, and listen to music.

What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?
Beasley: Being a good person will take you much further than being a good player.

Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Beasley: I missed a shot that I am capable of scoring early in a game. This game was a must-win game, and opportunities to score were hard to create. Late in the game, I got the same opportunity to score, and I did so by making sure to be more focused.

A Coach’s Reflections on Kyle Beasley
By Tim Gilbert, Coach, Lake Country United Football Club

Kyle Beasley came to Lake Country United FC in January 2019. He played with our LCUFC 04 Elite Team for two tournaments and one Friendly Match that 2019 Winter/Spring season. That May he became a full time member of that team. Over the next three years (2019, 2020, and 2021) Kyle became a vocal leader for his team on the training ground as well as an example of discipline when it came to training outside of team training sessions. Kyle’s work ethic was unmatched at the time. No one trained harder.

This last season (2021) Kyle led our LCUFC 04/05 Team in scoring and assists with 14 goals (6 game-winners) and 7 assists. He was also one of our most versatile players. He started the season as a regular midfielder. Later we moved him to Winger and then sometimes back or out wide to Wingback. He scored productive goals from each of those positions helping his team become a division finalist and achieve another 10-win season.

Kyle is kind and has a good heart. He was raised by a single mom who has demanded the best of Kyle. And Kyle has worked hard to meet his mother’s high expectations – in school and in his other pursuits. This led to him forming excellent habits both on the soccer pitch and off. Kyle is a person of high character. He possesses integrity. He respects himself, is respectful to others, and shows respect for the game of soccer.

The example that Kyle set has grown roots. Now, every day of the week, multiple players from Kyle’s team can be found on a training ground somewhere, often alone or in a group of 2 – 3 teammates, working hard at technical skills in the pursuit of excellence at the game that they love – soccer. My own son (Joseph Gilbert – Kyle’s teammate) considers Kyle a mentor. Because of the type of player that Kyle is and more importantly the kind of person that Kyle is, I am quite happy about that.

I have probably learned more from coaching Kyle than he has learned from me. I am grateful for that. It has been an honor to coach Kyle these last 3 years. Mars Hill University is getting themselves a helluva soccer player and an even better person. I am looking forward to watching him play at the next level.

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