Kansas City Women’s Soccer to Benefit from KC Current Campus-wide Partnership
12/13/2023 3:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Partnership to Provide Training, Leadership, Mentoring and Community-Engagement Opportunities for Team
KANSAS CITY (Dec. 13, 2023) — Kansas City Women's Soccer will be a major beneficiary of the partnership between the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the Kansas City Current. The recently announced multi-year deal makes UMKC the Official Higher Education Partner of the Current and provides Roo student-athletes with enhanced training, leadership and community engagement tools to elevate their program.
"We are so thrilled to roll out this new partnership with UMKC," said Current co-owner Angie Long. "We want to provide every opportunity to our players to continue their higher education. We think this relationship will present groundbreaking opportunities and educational access for our athletes as well as the Roos scholar-athletes. We are proud to partner with UMKC and eager to provide a unique education opportunity that can complement the demanding schedules of our professional athletes as they build the skills, they need to succeed off the pitch.
The Roos will be able to access the Current Training Facility in Riverside, Mo. for three days of each preseason camp, allowing the student-athletes to experience a best-in-class NWSL training facility. In addition, Kansas City Women's Soccer will be able to host one regular season game at the training facility each year.
"We are fortunate and grateful to partner with the KC Current organization," Dr. Brandon Martin, UMKC Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics, said. "Our mission, goals and priorities are aligned, and we look forward to immediate championship-level synergy. This partnership not only elevates our women's soccer program but propels our effort to advance Kansas City."
The Roos and Current will embark on community initiative within local schools to benefit girls within the Kansas City Community. The goal of the initiative will be to strengthen the self-worth and confidence of area women's soccer student-athletes. A mentorship program will also be created, allowing for the Roos' women soccer players to learn techniques and preparation regarding the skills and dedication it takes to play soccer at the professional level.
This partnership will be yet another move that allows Kansas City Athletics' student-athletes to excel both on and off the field. Kansas City Women's Soccer boasts a cumulative GPA of 3.63, contributing to the department-wide GPA of 3.36. The 2023 season marked the first time the Roos qualified for post season play since 2019, appearing in the Summit League Championships. The Summit League recognized Roos' Women's Soccer Coach Jess Smith as its Coach of the Year in 2023. In addition to her responsibilities with the Roos, Smith also is a coach for the KC Current Summer Camp.
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ABOUT KANSAS CITY ATHLETICS
The Kansas City Roos are the NCAA Division I teams of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, providing energy, excitement and a rallying point for campus and community. UMKC, one of four University of Missouri universities, is a public university serving more than 16,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. UMKC engages with the greater Kansas City area to promote exceptional student success, conduct impactful research, and elevate our region's economy and workforce while fostering an environment welcoming to all. For more information, visit KCRoos.com or follow us on social media with the handle @KCRoosAthletics. For more information about UMKC, visit umkc.edu.
ABOUT THE KANSAS CITY CURRENT
Founded in December 2020, the Kansas City Current is led by the ownership group of Angie Long, Chris Long, Brittany Mahomes and Patrick Mahomes. The team competes in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The Kansas City Current announced plans for the first stadium purpose-built for a professional women's soccer team with expected completion in 2024. To receive periodic updates on the new Kansas City Current Stadium at Berkley Riverfront Park, visit here to sign-up for more information or to stay connected.
