Wildcat's Jake Picard: A Leader by Example

Leadership is not just telling others what to do, it is setting an example for others to follow. For this year's Suffield High School boys soccer team, junior Jake Picard did exactly that.

Picard is a rising star in Suffield soccer, but those who know the game see him already at the top. An all-conference and all-state selection, Picard was one of only five juniors among the 16 players from Connecticut chosen as an All-New England star.

Picard plays center midfield for Suffield and, according to his coach, controls the tempo of the game with his skill and his vision. His value on the field this year was unmatched, as he set the tone for the team. Yet, it was his rise to a leadership position that was a bonus for Suffield this year.

"Jake is an all around good person," Suffield boys soccer Coach Mark Beigel said. "He has good values and comes from a great family. He took a lead-by-example approach this year and it helped our team."

"The vocal part, he left to the seniors," he said.

Beigel said Picard was co-MVP on the team and is "one of the most talented players to come through this system in a long time."

"His touch, his vision, his shot, his heading ability are all exceptional," he said. "His work ethic is unbelievable, as evidenced by his stamina. He bailed us out time and again with sensational goals."

The most memorable moment for Beigel this year was Picard's game-winning goal against previously undefeated and top-ranked Avon.

"He is just plain exhausting to cover," Beigel said. "When he gets amped up, he is unstoppable. Without him we would be a much, much different team."

For Picard, the accolades began early when he was selected as a captain, an honor he considers as important as any other individual recognition.

"It was unexpected," Picard said. "I talked to coach about it and I didn't really use my voice this year. I just worked hard and played. I learned a lot this year, too."

The Wildcats finished the year at 12-3-1, losing in the second round of the state playoffs to Granby on penalty kicks.

"We shouldn't have let that happen," Picard said. "Next year, I want to win a state championship and enjoy that feeling."

Picard has already won state cups with his West Hartford premier club, a group he credits with much of his development as a player.

"[West Hartford] Coach [Steve] Stokoe has done so much for me," he said. "He really pushes me hard and he has taught me his style of play. I couldn't thank him more."

The recognition and travel experience Picard gained from premier soccer have helped him realize he might be able to play college soccer at a NCAA Division I school.

"I'm not really looking into specific schools yet, but I am thinking about Boston," he said. "It will force me to push myself even harder and it will be a lot of soccer, which I want."

The Suffield native grew up with cleats on haing started playing the sport at age three or four. He went to the premier league in third grade and hasn't looked back.

"I played basketball last winter, but I hurt my knee and so I decided to focus on one sport," he said. "It is soccer for me or nothing else."

His younger sister, in seventh grade, has also taken her skills to premier soccer. "I think I helped her," he said with a laugh.

Although it is his passion, Picard realizes that soccer is just part of the picture. He credits his grandfather, Gordon Stagg, for instilling some key life lessons.

"He always told me that scholar comes first in the phrase scholar-athlete and I will always remember that," he said.

Beigel praised Picard for his academic commitment.

"Jake is a good student and role model for our players," he said. "He's a joy to coach. He sets the tone of sound values in how he acts. He is good people not only on the field, but in school and in the community."

There is an entire soccer season that awaits Jake Picard at Suffield High School next year. A chance to make an impact larger than the one already made among his family, friends, teammates and coaches.