Adem Ali, from London, England, joined Scholarship Sports USA as Head Scout of the London region for boys and girls. Adem, like Lyle, was also left unsatisfied by the recruitment company that dealt with his scholarship with him being more of a number than an actual player. He has since advised many players on their journey through to the states after experiencing his own scholarship at Oakland City University in Indiana.

 

Adem played all 4 years at Oakland City, an NCAA division 2 school winning numerous awards and helping take the college to their 1st ever National Championships. He played 74 times for the Mighty Oaks, scoring 40 goals and recording 25 assists from left wing. Adem captained the side for 2 seasons and was an ever present during his time at OCU.

 

Adem, to this day, still holds numerous records at OCU; Most goals in a season (16), most points in a season (42), most career goals (40), most career assists (25) and most career points (105). In Adem’s senior year, he was awarded the NCAA All American honourable mention whilst making the NCCAA All American 1st Team. He also picked up 2 NCCAA player of the weeks, the best player for that week in the whole country.

 

Adem graduated OCU with Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing Magna Cum Laude (1st class degree). After graduating OCU, Adem stayed on with OCU to become assistant coach for both the men's and women's sides whilst also playing professionally for the Evansville Crush. The Evansville Crush are an indoor professional sports team, and Adem was their 'franchise' player. The 'Crush' went on to the National Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they finished ranked amongst the top 5 in the country. A career ending injury cut short his football career in the US, so he moved back to London and set up the now infamous Haringey Girls Academy. Haringey Girls are now known in girls youth football as one of the best set ups in the country winning numerous National Titles over the past 5 years.