By Matt Segal, SLUBillikens.com
Jair Minors was ecstatic when he received the news. Most college soccer players would be.
The call came from his home country. Maurice Lowe, an assistant coach for the Bermuda National Team, was on the other end, offering Minors a spot on the team.
“I didn't think twice about it,” Minors recalled. “I had to check with my coaches, but playing on the Bermuda National Team is something I really wanted to do. It's an honor and privilege.”
Minors, a forward/midfielder for the Billikens, played 60 minutes for the Bermuda National Team in a FIFA friendly against St. Kitts and Nevis on Feb. 21. Round two of international competition is scheduled for March 18-27.
The Bermuda National Team will square off with Cuba on March 22 and French Guiana on March 26. Bermuda is one of 24 teams hoping to qualify for the 2017 Caribbean Cup.
“When I got the news (about going back), I couldn't stop smiling,” Minors said. “It should be a wonderful experience for everyone involved. I'm very happy and honored. It's an awesome opportunity to play for your home country. The thought of competing in the Caribbean Cup, and potentially the World Cup, gives me butterflies.”
Minors is the first men's soccer player in Saint Louis history to earn an invite to play for a senior national team while still active with the Billikens. He has appeared in 35 matches for SLU over three seasons, including 17 in 2015.
“Jair's international experience is incredibly positive for our program,” Saint Louis head coach Mike McGinty said. “SLU men's soccer is one of the most storied programs in America, and Jair is the first active player in our program's history to represent a senior national team. That's pretty cool to have a guy be the first to do something.”
Since Minors arrived at Saint Louis in 2012, the Billikens have won one Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season championship, captured one A-10 tournament title and made two NCAA Tournament appearances.
“All of our alumni and current team members are extremely proud to have someone representing his home country,” McGinty said. “It's very rare to have someone play for his senior national team and something we take great pride in.”
Minors grew up approximately 900 miles east of South Carolina in the British territory of Bermuda. He left the Atlantic Ocean's scenic island and moved to the United States at age 14. Minors started high school at the Darlington School in Rome, Georgia, and finished at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla.
Minors was one of three Montverde standouts recruited by McGinty in 2012. He joined fellow Bermudian Donte Brangman (2012) and Ireland native David Graydon (2012-15), making the transition easier for all three. Montverde sent 15 players to the college ranks that year, including nine at the Division I level.
“The soccer at Montverde was very competitive,” Minors said. “We played at a much higher level than anything I was used to. I jelled with Donte and David. Those guys were coming to Saint Louis, so it made my college decision a little easier. When I visited campus and met with Coach McGinty, everything clicked.”
McGinty, who took over SLU's program in 2010, has high hopes for Minors heading into his final collegiate season.
“Jair has a lot of qualities and is good at a lot of things,” the two-time A-10 Coach of the Year said. “We like how dangerous he can be in front of the goal. Jair is a great athlete -- with track-athlete type of speed -- and can play several positions. He's an attacking midfielder at the international level, but we use him as a winger.”
Minors is a long way from home, but he's not the only one. In 2015, he had teammates from Bermuda, England, France, Ireland, Germany, Senegal and Serbia. For 2016, McGinty has added players from Brazil, Jamaica and Scotland.
The program's diversity and sustained success make it attractive for recruits, both in the U.S. and abroad.
“The young men who come to us from other countries bring a different perspective,” McGinty said. “Sometimes, they are a good reminder for the student-athletes we have from America. At Saint Louis University, we have first-class diplomas, facilities and soccer. For international student-athletes, we have opportunities they don't have in their home countries. The mix of our foreign and domestic players has been very positive for our dressing room.”
Minors agreed with McGinty's assessment.
“It's nice to have different cultures within our program,” he said. “It gives players an opportunity for different perspectives. It's fun to have so many personalities in our locker room and be charged with trying to jell everyone together. We have a really good atmosphere and culture right now. That includes all players, regardless of where they come from. I enjoy being at Saint Louis University, and the diversity we have here is one of the many reasons.”
