Less than twenty fours after returning home from international duty with the National Under 20 team, forward Kye West was on a plane destined for Philadelphia on Tuesday to begin a four-year football scholarship at Villanova University.
The 18-year-old West made his full debut for T&T on Sunday and scored T&T’s opening goal in their 3-0 win over St Vincent and the Grenadines at Victoria Park in Caribbean Football Union Under 20 World Cup qualifying action.
West, formerly of Fatima College and St Ann Ranger’s FC was followed closely by Villanova coach Tom Carlin who made the journey to Biche to look at West in a training game a few weeks back. Carlin was also impressed with a couple other players but made the first move for West who had the academic qualifications for the scholarship.
“It was a great feeling but I didn’t expect to happen so quickly. Same way I didn’t expect to score my first goal on full debut for the national team,” West said.
He credited his parents for their continuous support. His mother, former Miss World Giselle La Ronde West would sometimes be seen picking West up from national team training at the Larry Gomes Stadium on an ongoing basis.
‘If it wasn’t for her and my dad, I probably wouldn’t even be in school doing something good. They have helped along the way in a major way and I am thankful to them. I hope I can go on to repay them by doing well and making something successful of my life,” West added. “I look up to Kevin Molino and I will keep on working to try and accomplish what he has.“
Already in preseason training with Villanova, West will pursue studies in Sport therapy.