Kebbeh, Schaffer Take Advantage of European Professional Opportunity
Serge Kebbeh (2013) and Isaiah Schaffer (2010-11) are currently playing professionally in Europe
MARS HILL, N.C. – The number of former Mars Hill men's soccer student-athletes playing professionally has grown to three. Isaiah Schaffer is in his first season with VPS in Finland, while Serge Kebbeh is playing for Nacka FF in Sweden. They join Alex Mullen (2011-14), who signed to play professional in Australia with Sydney FC last week.
"I am proud of these guys for taking the next step and being professional soccer players," head coach Gary Hamel said. "It has been a dream of theirs and they have gone out and achieved their goals, which is what we all need to strive to do. It also raises the bar at MHU so that the guys know that if they want to reach a goal it comes from hard work and dedication."
Kebbeh is playing for Nacka FF, a member of Sweden's Division 2. Nacka FF is Kebbeh's second professional team. He played for Mars Hill in 2013, scoring two goals with two assists while taking a team-high 40 shots.
"I joined Nacka FF after playing for Vasteras SK," Kebbeh explained. "Playing for Nacka in Stockholm is also a good opportunity for me to live in a bigger city with more opportunity."
Schaffer signed with VPS in Finland's Veikkausliga on August 1 and has started each contest since then. This isn't his first professional stint, as he previously played with Phoenix FC in the USL in 2013 and 2014 before suffering a series injury. That injury allowed Schaffer to return to Mars Hill.
"I came back to Mars Hill to do my rehab, but also was able to spend the 2014 season as a volunteer assistant coach," Schaffer explained. "The MHU training staff helped me recover and have the opportunity to play at the professional level again."
Schaffer spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons at MHU, scoring a total of seven goals with six assists.
Both Kebbeh and Schaffer found that Mars Hill prepared them for their current level of soccer.
"My playing experience at Mars Hill helped me prepare for my current team," Kebbeh said. "I developed my mental and physical game. Coach Hamel taught me how to be a professional on the field as well as mentally strong on and off the field."
Schaffer's season of coaching experience was of extra benefit as it allowed him to see the game from a different perspective.
"My time as a student-athlete and coach at Mars Hill helped me develop skills both on and off the field," Schaffer said. "I grew immensely as a player during my three seasons and during my season as a coach I developed leadership skills and learned a lot about the game."
To follow Isaiah and Serge at the professional level, click their name below for information on their current team.
