River View’s Hocter signs with West Liberty
River View High School senior Jorn Hocter (center) signed his letter of intent to play soccer at West Liberty University. Pictured with him are his mother Jill Dotson and father Josh Hocter. Behind them are RVHS Assistant Soccer Coach Vince Andrews and RVHS Head Soccer Coach Mike Burr. Josie Sellers | Beacon
WARSAW – Jorn Hocter has always played soccer and that won’t change after he graduates from River View High School this spring.
The Black Bears goalie signed his letter of intent to continue his soccer career at West Liberty University on Feb. 9 in the library at RVHS.
“For the most part it was always them I was interested in,” Hocter said. “I’ve been talking to them for about five or six months now. They have a new program and this will be their first year in the NCAA.”
According to West Liberty’s website, the men’s soccer program competed as a club team in 2017 and is coached by Thomas Oliver who was the top assistant at Marshall University.
“They are getting a very hard working and very coachable athlete,” said Mike Burr, River View’s head boys’ soccer coach. “He’s also one of the most athletic kids I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach.”
Hocter thanked Burr and Assistant Coach Vince Andrews for helping him get where he is today.
“I wish him the best of luck in his future,” Burr said. “We are going to have big shoes to fill next year. It’s going to be different not having him in goal for sure.”
Hocter’s mother Jill Dotson was very excited for him.
“He’s worked very hard toward this,” she said. “He’s really matured each year as a player.”
Dotson also thinks West Liberty will be a good fit for her son.
“I like the atmosphere of the campus and that it’s small,” she said.
Jorn’s father Josh Hocter also likes the location of the school.
“It’s not too far from home,” Josh said. “I’m extremely excited for him to be able to play in college. I think deep down inside I always knew this day would come. He has an older brother and sister who played and was always practicing at the next level. I think that made a huge difference.”
Jorn’s advice to other students wanting to play sports in college is to always work hard and keep setting goals.
Category: High School, Sports
