In The Huddle

Study & Play USA
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Sports
  • Updated Bimonthly

The world of US college sport is both expansive and exciting, and international student-athletes are signing up in their droves for their shot at a scholarship opportunity.  In The Huddle is the creation of Study & Play USA, widely regarded as the GO TO experts in facilitating the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders in this industry: US college coaches and recruiters, local high schools, families of student-athletes and most importantly the student-athletes themselves. So as you jog on the treadmill, drive to work, school or training, tune in to hear from industry leading experts, US college coaches, parents and student-athletes and learn how to best approach this pathway to maximise your opportunity and set yourself up for your most successful life.

  1. Jun 19

    EP #72: How NAIA Men's Soccer Really Compares with NAIA Coach and former Study & Play USA athlete Aidan Twohig

    NCAA Division I gets treated like the only destination for men's soccer, but that belief wrecks a lot of recruiting decisions. We’re joined by Aidan Twohig, a former Study & Play USA soccer player and (at the time of recording), an NAIA Assistant Men’s and Women’s soccer coach at Oklahoma City University, to talk candidly about what the US college soccer landscape actually looks like across NCAA, NAIA and JUCO. We dig into why NAIA men’s soccer can be seriously underrated: less funding, fewer media resources, and far less social content does not mean lower quality. Aidan explains why a cup-style tournament across all men's soccer divisions would be electric, and how cross-division preseason results often prove the 'gap' across divisions is smaller than people think. Then Claire and Aidan get practical about video - what makes a soccer highlight video worth watching in the first 90 seconds? What gets you ignored immediately? What are the green flags and red flags when you jump on a call with a men's soccer coach, and how do you show you’re genuinely interested without trying too hard? We also talk honesty in recruiting, why virtual campus tours should be non-negotiable for internationals, and Aidan repeats what we hear so often on this podcast - why fit matters even more than the division. If you’re an international footballer, a parent, or a coach helping athletes navigate the men's US college soccer recruiting landscape, this conversation will help you gain a deeper understanding of US men's collegiate soccer divisions and a desire to research more NAIA men's soccer games. Subscribe for more honest pathways chat, share this with a soccer player, and leave a review!

    44 min

  2. Apr 17

    EP#71: All 3 of Our Kids Went to College in the US - A Chat with the Fairclough Family from Perth

    One tennis player in Los Angeles, one tennis player in Spokane, Washington and one basketballer in Sioux Center, Iowa! Listen in as Chris sits down with the Fairclough family to hear why all three children chose the US college sporting pathway. From a parent point of view, Sue and Graeme unpack the emotional logistics: pride mixed with distance, 4am match livestreams from Perth, and the shock of an empty house when all three kids are “gone, gone”. Their strongest advice for other parents is to prioritise familiarity: campus visits, meeting other families, seeing the dorms, and understanding the day-to-day routine makes the separation feel less abstract. Sue and Graeme also mention other American parents of teammates taking their kids under their wings - especially around holidays like Thanksgiving and college breaks.  "The opportunities that these guys are going to have as a result of not only their academic scholarship and the college they went to, the opportunity to do internships and so on and so forth, it's amazing. So very proud." -The Fairclough Parents

    1h 7m

  3. Mar 11

    EP#70: An Introduction to NCAA Women's Triathlon with NCAA D1 Coach Hannah Loftus from Delaware State

    Claire sits down with US College Triathlon Coach Hannah Loftus from NCAA D1 Delaware State to unpack a very exciting emerging sport: NCAA Women's Triathlon.  Coach Loftus discusses race format, season flow, recruiting, team tactics, and why culture beats talent when stakes rise. A clear guide for international athletes on timelines, budgets, and the first email that gets a coach to click. why so many US college Triathlon teams have international student-athletesdistances for NCAA competitionsroster limitsschedule of NCAA Women's Triathlon: competitions and training blockshow team scoring works international recruiting steps and timelineswhat to include in your first email to coachesTitle IX and why women’s varsity triathlon can give out scholarships while men's triathlon cannotweather pivots, safety rules, and indoor setupsthe daunting "what is your budget" questiongreen and red flags on video callsCoach Hannah's parting advice: "Go for it. Reach out to schools and the coaches and see what can happen. There's no harm in trying." Like this episode? Share with an athlete friend of yours and leave a review! Each review helps bring this podcast to more a student-athletes looking to continue their sport in the US College System!

    48 min

  4. Feb 9

    EP#69: Zoom out: The Bigger Picture of Life as a Collegiate Athlete with Clemson Women's Rowing Coach Kelly Kraiss

    This episode is all about the bigger picture - no matter who you are or what sport you play, going through the US college recruiting process and then becoming a college athlete allows you to Zoom out and really appreciate your journey. Coach Kelly Kraiss from Clemson Women's Rowing team sits down with Claire to chat about the broader topic of a recruiting journey as well as life as a US college athlete. When the recruiting process gets bumpy—Coaches ghosting you from your dream school, shifting timelines—Coach Kelly’s mantra is to zoom out. How lucky are you as an athlete to even be in the recruiting process! So many athletes around the world do not have the opportunity in front of them to speak to a US college coach. She chronicles how rejection is in the recruitment process takes you one step closer to finding your right fit program. Just like many other coaches have echoed on In the Huddle, Coach Kelly emphasises the critical element of updating coaches in the recruiting process - "a green flag is when athletes initiate updates...I love when an athlete is willing to initiate!" Coach Kelly also shares her thoughts on the way you develop as a human being while going through the recruitment process and while you are at college, no matter what sport you are playing. Zoom out - being a US college athlete shapes the person you’ll become and provides you with a great mindset moving forward in your life - planning, communication, balance and perspective under pressure translates from the recruiting process & life as a college athlete into the 'real world'.  Of course they also dive deeper into the specifics of rowing as Claire asks Coach Kelly if she has any advice for younger rowers. Her advice? Try both sides of the boat, play other sports to grow your athletic base, take on small leadership roles, and pay attention to whether you love the sport as a whole. Enjoyed this one? Follow the show, share it with a teammate or parent who needs it, and leave a quick review to help more rowers find us.  Got a guest in mind? Send us a DM!

    39 min

  5. Jan 22

    EP#68: From Tucson to the Tour: How NCAA D1 College Golf Shapes Champions with Coach Jim Anderson from the University of Arizona

    Want the real playbook behind Division 1 College golf recruiting? Chris Bates sits down with University of Arizona Wildcats Head Coach Jim Anderson to get a candid look at NCAA Division 1 golf recruiting. They discuss roster limits, rankings, culture when coaches choose their next class—and what athletes can do to stand out without getting lost in the noise. Coach Anderson breaks down what’s actually changed in college athletics and what remains timeless: a drive to compete, a tight-knit team culture, and the daily habits that make you better. He also explains how new roster limits make every scholarship decision matter and why one of his big things he looks for in a recruit is not talked about enough.  If you’re considering JUCO golf, you’ll hear Coach Anderson speak about a clear path forward. Playing time, U.S.-based results, tough competition and a second window to be recruited can be powerful—especially if you produce week after week. Coach Anderson and Chris also focus on 'right fit' - the relationship with your coaches, the internal competition that pushes you, and weighing up NIL money. Coach Anderson and Chris also address a widespread debate: College golf vs professional golf as a teenager. Coach Anderson's verdict? The college advantage is competition: world-class courses, teammates who raise your ceiling every day and growing as a human being under college coaches who truly care about you, ultimately graduating with a degree. Hit play, get the insights, and decide with clarity.  If this conversation helped, follow the show, share it with a teammate!

    1h 3m

  6. 12/04/2025

    EP#67: You can love the US college experience and still struggle within it - Victoria Datta from The Hidden Opponent on resources available as an international student athlete

    We are thrilled to introduce a new partnership for our Study & Play USA families: The Hidden Opponent! Listen as we sit down with NCAA Division I runner Vicky Datta from The Hidden Opponent to unpack the hidden realities of college sport as an international and the power of a community that says 'it’s okay not to be okay'. German athlete Vicky explains how The Hidden Opponent is breaking stigma with practical action: campus captains, mental health game days, and resources that make support easy to find.  She shares candid stories about moving from Germany to the United States, adjusting to new training loads and gym work, and navigating the business side of American college athletics where results can impact coaching jobs. Her playbook is clear and compassionate: communicate early, ask for help, and keep your identity bigger than your performance. Claire and Vicky cover: American athletes generally come into college knowing what to expect vs internationals not always knowingA lot of your American teammates may not know what you don't know Victoria's experience with being injured for 6 months and how she dealt with that mentally and physicallyCollege can be an amazing experience but also hard at the same time - both things can coexistSpeaking up can be hard, but it is so important to speak up if you need helpThe importance of familiarising yourself with the gym before heading over to college for the first time Vicky's biggest takeaway lands with heart: sport is a business, but your self-worth is not. When injuries occur or homesickness hits, stay connected to your team, lean on counselling, and let team community carry you through the hard bits. The Hidden Opponent’s expanding international chapter proves that vulnerability travels; when others share openly, you don’t have to. If this conversation helps you or someone you love, subscribe, share it with a teammate or parent, and leave a review so more athletes can find the support they deserve. Vicky Datta Instagram: @victoriadatta_  The Hidden Opponent - The Founder's Ted Talk:  youtube.com/watch/?vSdk7pLpblls

    1h 5m

  7. 11/24/2025

    EP#66: Becoming Undeniable: Identity, Grit & The Blueprint to Success With University of Alabama & Super Bowl Champ Jesse Williams

    Two unlikely travel mates and a tour of the American South that turns into a masterclass on what college sport really demands. We bring together Jesse Williams, national champion at Alabama and Super Bowl winner, and Chris Bates, a former Oklahoma State tennis player and founder of Study & Play USA, to map the modern pathway for Australian student athletes. Across locker rooms and alumni halls, we test the myths. Is JUCO a step down or a launch pad? Does NIL change everything or just turn up the noise? Jesse cuts through with lived experience: be undeniable. Best players play, but the best people last. He shares how JUCO forged resilience, why Alabama’s culture still shapes his life, and how alumni support in the U.S. feels like coming home. We talk about the transfer portal, social media pressure, and the simple truth that winning cultures value character as much as speed and strength. If you’re an Aussie eyeing the U.S., this is your blueprint. We break down why data-driven combines matter, how to build a credible athletic and academic profile, and why the right mindset beats hype every time. You’ll hear the line that stopped a future first-rounder in his tracks: bridge the gap between who you think you are and who you really are. It’s tough-love mentorship delivered with clarity, purpose, and a clear call to action—give yourself twelve months to build the missing 10 percent. Subscribe for more stories, practical steps, and honest insight on U.S. college sport. If this helped sharpen your plan, share it with a mate who needs a push and leave a review to help others find the pathway.

    1h 2m

  8. 11/21/2025

    EP#65: Chris' reflections of 10 days in America with Jesse Williams

    Think you know U.S. college sport from the headlines? Try walking seven campuses in ten days and stepping inside the rooms where performance is built. We share what’s actually changed since COVID and why the pathway for Australian student athletes is more compelling than ever. From the moment we arrived, the pattern was unmistakable: proximity drives progress. Training centres, rehab, academic support, and fueling stations sit within a short walk of the dorms. That convenience isn’t just nice to have; it hardwires better habits. We unpack how facilities have levelled up across divisions, why nutrition stations are everywhere, and how live data in gyms and tennis centres is turning PBs and workload into daily decisions. The vibe is alive, the systems are mature, and the focus is clear: help athletes improve faster. Coaches told us their appetite for internationals is growing, with Australians high on the list. The reason is athletes who travel far tend to value the opportunity and stick the process. We explain how to stand out: start early, build your baseline before you go, and use film, results, and academics to widen your options. We also cut through media noise: the “student athlete bubble” is real, and day-to-day life is more about class, training, and team travel than politics or headlines. NIL is reshaping incentives, especially where American football’s economic engine is strongest. We take you behind the scenes at places like USC, Clemson, Georgia, and Alabama to show how game-day scale funds world-class support across sports. Even if your sport is smaller, understanding NIL, compliance, and personal brand can open real doors. It all adds up to a simple truth: if you prepare well before you land, the system is ready to accelerate you.

    21 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The world of US college sport is both expansive and exciting, and international student-athletes are signing up in their droves for their shot at a scholarship opportunity.  In The Huddle is the creation of Study & Play USA, widely regarded as the GO TO experts in facilitating the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders in this industry: US college coaches and recruiters, local high schools, families of student-athletes and most importantly the student-athletes themselves. So as you jog on the treadmill, drive to work, school or training, tune in to hear from industry leading experts, US college coaches, parents and student-athletes and learn how to best approach this pathway to maximise your opportunity and set yourself up for your most successful life.

Information

  • Creator
    Study & Play USA
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 In the Huddle. Study & Play USA
  • Show Website
    In The Huddle

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