Shalom Thomas Puts Players First at World-Class Soccer Academy

Picture 600 acres of land, 20 pristine soccer fields, and over 200 dedicated athletes training for the sport they love. As a global leader in sports development, IMG Academy in Florida offers summer camps that focus on individual skill development, small-group training, and mental performance enhancement. With a heart for coaching and a passion for people, HU sports management student Shalom Thomas served as a summer soccer coach for U13 and U16 soccer players from around the world this summer.

Each week, Thomas coached 10-16 players through two daily sessions and two weekly games. Working at such a competitive level, he developed a sharp eye for detail. His sessions combined correlated drills, high intensity, and, most importantly, a player-first mindset.

Thomas noted there’s nothing a person likes more than the sound of their own name, and he implemented that in his summer training. By giving players individual attention, highlighting their achievements, and simply saying their name, Shalom brought genuine intentionality into his coaching.

“If you want to be a great leader, it literally comes back to what the Bible talks about, just loving your neighbors,” Thomas said. “If you care about the people and love them, like how God tells you to love them, you'll be good at what you do.”

The standards at IMG were high, but Thomas tackled them with humility and hard work. He maintains the same mindset on campus, holding an assistant coaching position on the HU women’s soccer team as well as working as a student manager on the men’s basketball team. Looking ahead, Thomas hopes to pursue a career in coaching — equipped with the same intentionality and care that shaped his summer experience.