When Ben Adams ’24 founded Reform United, he wanted to create a new way of playing soccer.
Unlike many professionally managed club soccer teams, Reform United is almost entirely player-run, with players handling fee collecting, uniform designing, tournament registration and the creation of training routine that fits the schedule of 18 busy high schoolers.
It’s no easy task, but the group, led by senior team managers Christian Denis and Ollie Morgan, as well as junior team manager Cristian Duarte, has stepped into the role and helped.
Coached by former varsity soccer coach Corindo Martin, Reform United gives players from St. Mark’s and other schools in the Dallas area an opportunity to train in an environment centered on growth and development.
“It’s such a neat idea because it is so student-driven,” Martin said. “I’m the adult, and I’m there because you have to have an adult somewhere in the process. I do coach the team, but as far as the logistics of running the team, that’s left to the players.”
Adams had a vision, and with a lot of heart and a little help, he brought Reform United to life.
Starting a team from scratch is no small feat, and one of the biggest challenges was recruiting players who believed in the mission as much as the founders did.
The leaders of Reform United spent much of their summer networking, reaching out to potential players and pitching the team to other high schoolers across the area.
“The boys did a wonderful job,” Martin said. “They recruited and found talented players from St. Mark’s and other schools to join the team.”
It can be hard, especially for younger students, to see a project through from start to finish.
But that wasn’t an issue for Adams and his team, who have built something that continues to grow in both skill and spirit.
The Reform United community extends far beyond the soccer field. It provides an opportunity to build close bonds with players both inside and outside the school’s community.
“We always invite the other kids from Greenhill and ESD out to go get Torchy’s so that we can bond together,” Duarte said. “I think I’m about as close with them as I am with some of my friends at St Mark’s. It really is about a community expanding further than St. Marks.”
For Martin, it provides an opportunity to get back into coaching and take a break from his day-to-day life as a math teacher.
He’s a big advocate for focusing not solely on the raw talent and ability of his athletes, but on the development they display within the sport as they spend more time with it.
“The thing I appreciate is that I’ve gotten to see kids who’ve played with us for two or three seasons. Where they were when they were freshmen or sophomores to where they are now and their level of development is amazing.” Martin said.
Martin believes players not only develop into better athletes, but by stepping into leadership roles, the boys gain valuable experience that will help them handle responsibility in the future.
“Besides the whole soccer thing, there are some real valuable lessons for the boys. If they put their mind to something, they can achieve anything they want to do,” Martin said.
For the leaders of the team, it can be hard to step out in front of your friends and tell them they need to “lock in,” but it’s crucial to keep the team running smoothly.
“The most difficult part is just being taken seriously. These are your friends, it’s hard to put your foot down and tell them things,” Duarte said. “It’s awkward to say, ‘Hey, you need to update your payment.’”
The goal for Adams and Martin is to continue this team for as long as possible.
Every summer, they meet to make sure they’re aligned on the business plan for the upcoming season.
“We certainly want to keep this going, but we understand that it takes some work, and you have to put that work in,” Martin said. “When Ben comes back in the summer, we talk about the future – who’ll lead, who’ll help, and how to keep the program moving forward.”
As the Reform United season comes to an end, the legacy left behind by Ben Adams is significant.
Each year, a new group of students will step up to lead the team, carrying forward its focus on camaraderie, player development, and leadership both on and off the field.