The Carolina RailHawks announced the signing of local products Austen King and Justin Willis. The defenders are set to begin their professional careers after enjoying success at the U23 level. They played a big role in the USASA U23 National Championship that the RailHawks captured in 2011.
Austen King played at Elon University, where he was recognized as team MVP among other accolades. During his youth career he played for CASL where he served as captain. Justin Willis played for North Carolina State University where he was a starter in 2011. Like Austen, he also played club soccer at CASL.
“Having Austen and Justin signing with the RailHawks first team is a huge accomplishment for the RailHawks U23’s and the local club teams. Our goal with the RailHawks U23 team is to provide an educational program that allows players to learn and get ready for the next level,” said Dewan Bader, head coach of RailHawks U-23's. “Our players work hard and learn additional skills to make them better players. Austen and Justin embraced our program and will now have the opportunity to play professionally at home.”
With the signing of King and Willis, four local players will play for the RailHawks this season. King, Willis, Drake, and Ackley all played for local youth clubs and high schools before heading off to college. The four also played for the RailHawks U23’s, which shows the strength of the player development process of the Triangle area.
The RailHawks U-23’s program is sponsored by JRW Associates and led by Head Coach Dewan Bader. JRW Associates, a United Benefit Advisors firm that covers over 10 million members, plays a key role as the program’s success would not be possible without their valued support. The RailHawks U-23’s program gives aspiring professional soccer players the opportunity to train and compete in a professional soccer environment over the course of the summer. In 2011, the U-23’s won the USASA U-23 Men’s Region III and National Cups.
The Carolina RailHawks announced the signing of local products Austen King and Justin Willis. The defenders are set to begin their professional careers after enjoying success at the U23 level. They played a big role in the USASA U23 National Championship that the RailHawks captured in 2011.
Austen King played at Elon University, where he was recognized as team MVP among other accolades. During his youth career he played for CASL where he served as captain. Justin Willis played for North Carolina State University where he was a starter in 2011. Like Austen, he also played club soccer at CASL.
“Having Austen and Justin signing with the RailHawks first team is a huge accomplishment for the RailHawks U23’s and the local club teams. Our goal with the RailHawks U23 team is to provide an educational program that allows players to learn and get ready for the next level,” said Dewan Bader, head coach of RailHawks U-23’s. “Our players work hard and learn additional skills to make them better players. Austen and Justin embraced our program and will now have the opportunity to play professionally at home.”
With the signing of King and Willis, four local players will play for the RailHawks this season. King, Willis, Drake, and Ackley all played for local youth clubs and high schools before heading off to college. The four also played for the RailHawks U23’s, which shows the strength of the player development process of the Triangle area.
The RailHawks U-23’s program is sponsored by JRW Associates and led by Head Coach Dewan Bader. JRW Associates, a United Benefit Advisors firm that covers over 10 million members, plays a key role as the program’s success would not be possible without their valued support. The RailHawks U-23’s program gives aspiring professional soccer players the opportunity to train and compete in a professional soccer environment over the course of the summer. In 2011, the U-23’s won the USASA U-23 Men’s Region III and National Cups.
