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What happens when ambition meets opportunity across the world stage? For Leah Bermudez and Austin Ludwick; two former Gannon University soccer standouts—the U.S. college system wasn’t just a detour. It was a launchpad.
In a recent Platform Sports webinar, the pair sat down with Head Soccer Recruiter Josh to share their journeys from the National Premier Leagues (NPL) in Australia and Canada to the NCAA Division II stage in the U.S.—and back again. The conversation offered real, honest insight into what it takes to navigate the recruitment process, overcome setbacks, and grow both on and off the pitch.
For Austin, a former Brisbane Roar Academy player, the decision to head overseas was born out of both necessity and strategy.
“At 17 or 18, you're trying to make it professional. I didn’t get a first-team deal and I saw too many guys just get stuck in the NPL. I knew I needed something different.”
A family friend opened the door to U.S. college opportunities, and Austin ran through it. What stood out? The chance to rebuild himself as a player, get a degree, and return to Australia as a more complete athlete—both physically and mentally.
Leah’s path was different. A Canadian native, she had her sights set on Division I early on but ended up accepting a late-stage offer from Gannon University after enduring an exhausting recruitment process marred by misleading agencies and broken promises.
“I felt like I was on my own... I had offers I didn’t even know about until it was too late. But Gannon stuck by me from the beginning—and in the end, it was the best decision I ever made.”
When it came to choosing a university, both athletes stressed one thing: go where you’d want to be even without sport.
Leah, who wanted to stay within driving distance of family, said that proximity and personal comfort were essential factors. “You need to love the environment; socially, academically, emotionally, because if soccer is taken away, would you still be happy there?”
Austin, meanwhile, took the opposite approach—landing as far away from home as possible. “I knew I’d have to grow up quickly. But I also had a friend already there, which made all the difference. When I landed, I had someone waiting, and that support helped me settle fast.”
Both athletes underscored the importance of early academic planning, particularly around NCAA eligibility. For Austin, that came with tough lessons.
“I didn’t have anyone guiding me early enough. I ended up academically redshirting my first year, training with the team but not playing matches. It was frustrating, but it gave me time to adjust and eventually led to a fifth year and my master’s.”
Leah entered with more clarity, knowing she wanted to study psychology. But her academic path evolved too. Midway through her degree, she pivoted, adding a sports management and marketing minor and eventually pursuing a master’s in communications, integrating all her passions.
“You don’t have to have it all figured out. I changed my mind, and that’s okay. What mattered was having guidance, small classes, and access to professors who cared.”
Leah was candid about the emotional toll of her pre-college experience, facing rejection, confusion, and a loss of confidence.
“I almost gave up. But once I got to college, I leaned into the support, counsellors, coaches, teammates. I started therapy in my freshman year and kept going through to my master’s. It made me a better player and a better person.”
Austin echoed the importance of communication and preparation.
“When you’re on the other side of the world, having people you trust - from coaches to teammates, is huge. At Gannon, I found a second family. It turned what could’ve been a daunting experience into an exciting one.”
Both athletes pushed back on the common belief that Division I is the only worthy destination.
“Division II gave me everything I needed: world-class facilities, full-time training, high-level coaching, and structure,” said Austin. “You don’t realise how good it is until you’re in it and using it.”
Leah added that the physical demands of U.S. college soccer, particularly on the women’s side, helped her elevate her game.
“College made me a more complete player. When I returned to Australia and joined the NPL, I felt prepared. The style here is more technical, but college gave me strength, speed, and resilience.”
Whether it was Leah’s battle through a rocky recruitment, or Austin’s journey from academic redshirt to professional A-League footballer, both athletes agreed on one key takeaway:
Start early, ask questions, and find trusted support.
“I wish I had someone like Platform earlier,” Austin said. “It would’ve made a big difference.”
“You still have to put in the work,” added Leah. “But when you’ve got the right people backing you—who’ve been there before—you don’t just survive the process. You thrive in it.”
For families and athletes considering the U.S. college pathway, Austin and Leah’s stories offer a grounded but hopeful message: with the right mindset and guidance, it’s possible to find the right fit—and come out stronger for it.
As Platform Sports continues to connect talent across Australia and New Zealand to life-changing opportunities abroad, these kinds of stories remind us why we do what we do.
Because it’s not just about the scholarship, it’s about the journey.
Austin and Leah’s story is proof that the college pathway isn’t a backup — it’s a launchpad. For athletes chasing high performance and a meaningful future, it’s a door worth opening.
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