Andrew Lubahn's life took an unexpected turn this summer when the Erie native earned a tryout with Cercle Brugge, a pro soccer club in Belgium. The tryout turned into an offer to train with the club for the next year, after which he'll be eligible for a passport and the possibility of signing a pro contract with the team.
Belgium is proving to be an eye-opening experience. At a time when he would have been a junior at Cathedral Prep, he's instead living abroad. Dutch is the only language spoken at Lubahn's school, so the club will pay for a translator to accompany him. He's living apart from his family for the first time, spending some of $1,200 monthly stipend on rent for an apartment.
And always there's the goal of signing that contract come next summer. If things don't go as Lubahn would have them, he has drawn interest from NCAA Division I colleges around the country.
As he acclimates to Belgium and shapes his dreams, Lubahn invites friends, family and fans into his life through regular blog entries here at www.GoErie.com/blogs/Sports. Check back often for updates.
Andrew provided a short biography and a list of some of his favorites for entry No. 1:
Parents: John and Terri
Family: Max, Katie, Emily, Nik, Abi, Will
Pets: Steve the dog
Favorite Athletes: Rodger Federer and Cristiano Ronaldo
Favorite football team: Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos
Favorite soccer teams: Inter Milan, Barcelona and Cercle Brugge
Favorite basketball team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Favorite sports: Soccer and tennis
Favorite sports moment: Scoring against Athletico Madrid in Spain to put (the United States) 2 -1 up, or winning the intramural championship in ping pong doubles with Sean Washek.
Favorite Web site: www.imeem.com
Favorite food: Steak and sushi
Thought that makes me the most homesick: The great time i had at my going-away party, seeing all my friends, and how much fun I had.
You might not know: I love music!