It has been a busy summer for Racing Louisville Academy forward Caitlin Chase. The junior recently committed to play at Vanderbilt University, a three-time SEC champion with 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in its program history. 

We caught up with Caitlin Chase in the latest Academy Spotlight:

How did you get involved with soccer?

“Before I could walk, a ball was at my foot. Ha! With having a family immersed in the game, soccer wasn’t a ‘decision’ I had to make – it was part of who I am! Backyard pickup games at birthdays and holidays are a tradition in my family. So, how did I get involved with soccer? It was not because my parents made me join a team or because all my grade school friends played; it was simply because I wanted to be on a field playing my favorite game. They say to take your strengths and run with them and that’s exactly what I did, literally! 

“From a young age, I was gifted with speed. And as early as I can remember, I loved to score and win. Soccer combined all of those things.  Around the age of 6, I joined a club team, which provided me with a foundation of skills and technique as well as the basics of how to play the game. When the Racing Academy developed, I immediately knew I wanted to continue my soccer journey in an environment of supportive and qualified coaches and players.”

How has your experience been with the Racing Louisville Academy?

“Unbelievable! The support and dedication toward the development of female athletes at the Racing Louisville Academy is unparalleled! From getting the chance to be a part of our USL W League team and training with Racing Louisville’s pro team, I have been blessed to be absorbed into a culture that focuses on growing players and well-rounded human beings. 

“Here at the Academy, we as players are surrounded by a community of both young and experienced athletes who have one common goal in mind: to develop. With the Academy being a part of the Elite Clubs National League, players compete and play against the highest level athletes and teams in the country. The Racing Louisville Academy has opened a whole new world of opportunities I never knew existed.”

What have you learned from the Academy and with teammates?

“P.I.T.C.H. The PITCH philosophy (Personal Accountability, Intellectual Engagement, Trust, Commitment, Humility) has helped shape not only how I perform on the field, but who I am as a person. I have learned to take responsibility for the mistakes I make, and use them to establish areas for personal growth. By players gathering to watch film, we are given the chance to ask questions and identify specific areas of our game that we can then set goals upon. I have learned to trust my teammates, and the moments we find success are done through collaboration and commitment. From early on, humility was modeled by the coaches and supporting staff at the Academy, so humility is not something we are told to have, it becomes a part of who we are.”

What are your future plans/goals?

“Simply put, my immediate plan is to continue training, improving and playing Division I soccer in college. I plan to study journalism, with the goal of becoming a sports broadcaster, but my dream would be to play for the Racing Louisville professional team and the U.S. Women’s National Team one day”