BEVERLY, Mass. — Endicott men's soccer student-athlete Sean Stoeppel (Brookfield, Conn.) recently participated at the U.S. Deaf Men's National Team training camp held in Tampa, Fla. from January 4 through January 7. 

The camp included several training sessions and a scrimmage against the Tampa Bay Rowdies Academy team. Stoeppel said this of his experience at the training camp, "It was certainly one of the most interesting experiences I've had in my lifetime. I have always considered myself a hearing person, so playing without my processor so I was deaf along with everyone else on the field, was a unique challenge. I was excited to be a part of it, and the experience was certainly one I will never forget." 

Endicott men's soccer head coach Joe Calabrese also weighed in on Sean's experience with the U.S. Deaf Men's National Team. 

"Sean has an incredible story and our men's soccer program is blessed to have Sean as a member of it. He's passionate about pursuing his degree and playing soccer at Endicott. He's certainly a player our coaching staff respects and admires because of his work ethic, confidence, and his selfless approach to life. I know first hand Sean took this opportunity to represent the USA National Deaf Team very seriously. He continued his training immediately after our season concluded to prepare for this great opportunity. The images of Sean wearing the red, white, and blue uniform made all of us proud back home at Endicott," said Calabrese.

The U.S. Deaf Men's National Team is structured similarly to the U.S. National Team and has two major tournaments they compete in, the Deaf World Cup and Deaflympics, which take place every four years. Most recently, the U.S. Deaf Men's National Team competed in the 2016 Deaf World Cup held in Italy and placed sixth overall. Meanwhile, the U.S. Women's National Team placed first at the 2016 Deaf World Cup. For more information, visit the U.S Deaf Soccer website.

(Sean Stoeppel, middle of top row wearing No. 3, poses for a team photo with the rest of his U.S. Deaf Men's National Team members)

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(Photo Credit - Sean Stoeppel)