From the soccer fields of Pahrump to the campus of Azusa Pacific University, Paris Coleman’s path to collegiate athletics has been shaped by faith, dedication, and a lifelong love for the game. Now entering her second year at the NCAA Division II school in Southern California, Paris is embracing every aspect of her student-athlete experience—on the field, in the classroom, and in her spiritual life.
Paris plays center back for Azusa Pacific’s women’s soccer team and made the strategic decision to redshirt her freshman fall season, preserving a year of eligibility in exchange for a fully paid master’s degree. “It was a little tough redshirting because my coaches wanted me to play, and I wanted to as well,” she said. “But I had to make the decision that would be best for what I want to do after soccer.” While she couldn’t compete during official fall games, she still practiced, traveled, and dressed out with the team. In the spring, when redshirt restrictions are lifted, she stepped into a starting role and helped lead the team to victories against multiple Division I opponents. “It was super exciting. We beat all the big schools we played.”
The intensity of college soccer was a major leap from high school and club play. Paris describes her team’s training regimen as one that rivals top Division I programs. “We have weights at 7 a.m. three times a week, sometimes we lift on our own too. Then practices every single day,” she said. “Even on off days, we’re doing team bonding. I think that’s why we’re so good—we have strong bonds on and off the field.”
That strong sense of community was one of the reasons she chose Azusa Pacific. After a long and stressful recruiting process that began in eighth grade, she committed to the university in January of her senior year—later than most athletes in her class. “I’d been emailing coaches for years, attending camps, sending out 300 emails a weekend before tournaments,” she said. “I almost committed to another school, but I realized that if I wasn’t playing soccer there, I wouldn’t love it. So I backed out.”
It was her visit to Azusa Pacific that changed everything. “I loved the school, the coaches, the girls—they talked to me like I’d already been on the team for years,” she said. “I’m a huge relationship person, and everything just clicked. My parents told me to choose the school that was right for me, and I did.”
That decision has paid off in more ways than one. Paris is majoring in social work and is part of a small, close-knit group of students in her program. “There’s less than 10 of us in my class, so everything’s super personal,” she said. Her professors and academic advisors have also been instrumental in helping her find balance between sports and school. “Our professors are amazing. They text us reminders, ask how we’re doing, and work with our schedules. One even said, ‘Email me how your game went—that’s your assignment for the day.’ It feels like more than just a school. It feels like a community.”
That support, along with her faith, has kept her grounded during the transition from high school to college. “I love that I go to a Christ-centered school. We play for something bigger than just soccer,” she said. “I do Bible studies with my coach. She reminds us that we’re more than just athletes, and she loves us regardless of how we perform. That means a lot.”
Paris’ journey into soccer began early—she started playing at age four in AYSO, coached by her parents. “At that age, you’re just trying to kick the ball,” she laughed. “It was always fun.” Her dad later helped form the original Jr. Trojans soccer team, a group of top local athletes who wanted to stay together and compete more seriously. “That first year, we won just about every tournament,” she recalled. “It was such a fun experience, traveling to Vegas and doing doubleheaders every weekend.”
Eventually, Paris moved on to play for Heat FC in Las Vegas to gain more competitive exposure. “I loved the girls I played with, but I needed to push myself more,” she said. Playing for Heat opened doors to college recruiting, but it also meant making hard choices. In high school, she originally considered playing volleyball. But scheduling conflicts with her soccer club meant she had to choose. “I asked myself which one was going to pay for college,” she said. “And I chose soccer.”
She didn’t play high school soccer until her sophomore year but made an immediate impact. “Coach Julie told me she wasn’t retiring until we won a state championship,” Paris said. “And we did—my first year playing.” That victory was especially meaningful given that the team had barely played the year before due to COVID-19. “It was just amazing to win it with the girls I’d grown up with.”
Throughout high school, Paris played soccer, basketball, and ran track. “A lot of people on my current team only played one sport growing up, but I think playing everything made me a better athlete,” she said. “It kept me from burning out, and my parents supported me through all of it. They never forced me—they just encouraged me in whatever I wanted to do.”
Her family continues to be her biggest supporters. “They used to drive me to Vegas for practices, sit through them, and we’d get home at midnight. They’ve done everything for me,” she said. Staying at a school just three and a half hours away means they can still come to her games and visit often. “That was really important to me.”
Looking ahead, Paris plans to stay at Azusa Pacific for her master’s in social work, thanks to the university’s fast-track program. “I’ll be able to finish my master’s in just one year,” she said. “I want to be a veteran social worker and work at the VA in Vegas or even back home in Pahrump.” As for soccer, she’s open to possibilities. “I don’t think I’ll go pro, but I know I could if I wanted to. Right now, I just want to start helping people as soon as possible.”
Still, the idea of giving back through coaching one day isn’t off the table. “I’d love to help out in our community, maybe coach,” she said. “Even just being around the sport in some way.”
Paris also made sure to thank the coaches who supported her along the way. “Coach Hopkins, Coach Amy, and Coach Julie—they were all so flexible and supportive while I was juggling sports. If they hadn’t been, it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun for me. Coach Hopkins especially dealt with a lot,” she added with a laugh.
“I also want to thank my club coach, Sergio Rodriguez,” Paris added. “He’s been training me since middle school and has played such a big role in developing me into the player I am today. His coaching and support over the years made a huge difference.”
Grounded in her faith, surrounded by a strong support system, and driven by both purpose and passion, Paris is living out a dream years in the making—one game, one class, and one step at a time.
1 Comment
Paris is our Granddaughter, we are so proud of her, and how hard she’s worked and continues to work, both Academically and Athletically!