Athlete of the Week: Henry Stevens

Over the years, soccer has given Henry Stevens a pronounced skip to his step. Off the field, he describes his gait as that of a confident penguin, with longer legs and more coordination. On the field, Stevens’ intense love for the game will turn him into “an animal,” according to his teammates. His competitive nature gives him an unequalled aggression on the playing field.From a young age, soccer has been ever present in Stevens’ life. His passion for the sport is evident in all of his endeavors, shaping his experiences in more ways than one.Stevens started playing soccer in the first grade at the age of seven. “I just had the phase where I wanted to try every sport,” he said. “I enjoyed soccer because out of all the sports I tried I was the best at it. I never had great hand eye coordination so football and baseball weren't that exciting for me.”Originally drawn to professional soccer in 2005 by Thierry Henry, Stevens followed the French player simply because they shared a name. Stevens supported Henry during the latter’s time at Arsenal Football Club and followed his transfer to FC Barcelona.As he grew older, however, Stevens began to focus on professional center midfielders, the position he plays, to help him improve his technique. Every Saturday and Sunday, he will spend hours meticulously watch passing, shooting and movement off the ball.Although his middle school didn’t have a team, Stevens played for the premier Seacoast United club to hone his skills.Entering PEA as a prep, Stevens’ athletic ambitions were almost immediately realized in the fall of 2009, when he made Exeter’s varsity team.“When I came to Exeter my prep year, although I was one of the more skilled players, I wasn’t used to playing with kids who were four or five years older than me,” Stevens said. “I wasn't used to being the one on the ground. I had always been the one who tackled people to the ground.”A significant part of Stevens’ soccer career at Exeter was shaped by his mentor of four years, Arthur Cosgrove, the boys’ varsity soccer coach.“Every year he has matured physically and he has also grown into a leader—he is our captain, our most talented player, so the expectations are pretty high,” Cosgrove said.“I think he has turned me into a man,” Stevens said of Cosgrove’s influence on him. “I came in as a mostly technical soccer player, not really used to being shaken around by huge kids. Cosgrove taught me how to suck it up: it has been one of the greatest contributions to my game.”The flux of homework, pressure and expectations that many Exonians struggle with during the school year has also helped Stevens on the field.“Obviously, we know that at Exeter there is very little time to goof off if you want to succeed,” Stevens said. “So that kind of mentality has helped my soccer game, too. I learned how to transfer my diligence in the classroom to soccer. Experiencing the grind at Exeter shaped me into a very committed student-athlete.”Stevens also credits past captains with teaching him the necessary skills to succeed as a leader.“They taught me that being scored on is an opportunity to challenge yourself more,” he said. “They showed me how to be positive even in the worst of situations.”Henry’s teammates have recognized the level of his contributions. “As a captain, Henry pushes himself and his teammates more than any other captain I've had,” Sterling Weatherbie, an upper and fellow varsity soccer player, said. “He works hard to make himself and everyone around him better, while still having fun.”Senior Spencer Reaves, along with the majority of the team, acknowledged Stevens’ natural leadership skills at the end of last year when the players voted for this year’s captains.“I’ve always had complete trust in him that he was going to get the job done. When we elected captains last year it was more of an election for who was going to be Henry’s co-captain,” Reaves said.Many players on the team felt that Stevens’ good nature eased the often difficult transition to a New England prep school varsity soccer team.“Something that I didn’t experience as a prep, which I wish my captains had done more of, was welcome players onto the team,” Stevens said. “This year I made sure to put a strong effort to get to know the kids.”“Everyone looks up to Henry because of his determination, leadership and skills,” Charlie Russ, a lower who has played with Stevens for two years, said. “He’s always here to help us learn and play around.”Off the field, teammates say that Stevens has spent less time making big pregame speeches and more time focusing on the strategy of the game ahead.“He’s not a really wordy captain; he’ll get us together before a game, but after that, it’s just play like Henry does,” Reaves said. “He’s just a good leader; he definitely leads by example.”“Instead of giving a fifteen minute speech to my team, I will pump them up by tackling hard and leading a counterattack,” Stevens said.“He’s a serious guy, and we all look up to him and respect him, so we all know he’s going to be out there and we should follow his example,” Reaves added.On the field, however, spectators, friends and peers noticed a crucial transformation in Stevens’ personality.“On the field he can be a grouch; he is feisty, competitive and really leads by example,” Cosgrove said. “Off the field he is pretty mellow.”“I am not aggressive at all [off the field], but when I get on the field and I am playing to win, my whole persona changes completely,” Stevens said. “I do consistently try to smash kids. I am someone who will run through the kid no matter how big he is and tackle him hard.”“Henry plays aggressively and makes his presence known in everything that he does. He's loud, fast, and physical, yet displays an incredible field awareness, knowing what has to be done and making sure it gets done,” upper James Glass said when talking about his captain.However, Stevens’ fierce demeanor breaks when he scores a goal. “I will make a little heart with my hands and put it in the center of my chest,” he said. “It’s a way to not only demonstrate my gratitude to the team for giving me the opportunity to score, but also to dedicate the goal to my girlfriend, Samantha.”“Personally, because soccer is such a big part of my life, I am always thinking about it,” Stevens said. “I don't really need to be pumped up, as I'm perpetually excited to play the beautiful game. It is the greatest passion of my life.”