Jordan Layton – The Alabama Breakaway
Brittany Eads
(310) 804-7245
britteads@gmail.com
Jordan Layton
Provo, Utah (April 30, 2009) — Alabama is known for producing legendary athletes including baseball Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Willie Mays, track stars Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens and boxing great Joe Louis.
But when you think Alabama athletics, soccer isn’t the first sport that comes to mind.
Throughout high school, incoming BYU freshman Jordan Layton discovered that his biggest obstacle to playing competitive soccer didn’t have to do with inexperience or lack of skill, but the skepticism of coaches and other players that an elite player could emerge from a state like Alabama.
“Some people don’t even know where the state is,” expresses the Huntsville, Alabama native, “never mind that good players could come from there. I’ve had people automatically think I couldn’t be good because of where I’m from – and the challenge lies in proving myself despite it.”
While it’s true that most BYU players hail from more heavily soccer-oriented states such as California, Utah, or Arizona, Layton certainly won’t let his Southern background keep him from his dream of playing for the Cougars.
In addition to playing baseball and football and wrestling until high school, Layton has been playing club for as long as he can remember and spent several years in the Nike-sponsored USSF Academy League based in Birmingham. Layton recalls travelling from his hometown to practice with the team – a distance of over 100 miles – two or three times a week.
“Soccer is my passion. I’ve always been very serious about it,” Layton exclaims. “I’m always setting goals and doing whatever it takes to reach them.”
As is the case with several new players, the prospect of an LDS mission is a driving force behind Layton’s choice to attend BYU. Such was the strength of Layton’s desire to attend the university that he decided if he didn’t make the team he would end his soccer career altogether.
“Offers from other schools just didn’t fit,” he explains. “I knew that other schools wouldn’t hold my spot or scholarships so I could serve a mission, so I’m incredibly lucky that things worked out how they did.”
For all these reasons, the high school senior is both ecstatic and relieved to see his dream finally carried through.
“This has been my main goal for years,” Layton smiles. “I’m excited beyond words.”
