Photo by Kyle Lutz Brooke’s Josh Ferguson stands at his table with the soccer gear he collected from donations for his senior project at the Brooke Soccer Classic. Ferguson said the reason he chose to do this for his senior project is because soccer is his passion and has had everything he’s needed when he was growing up to play the game. He wants to help others do the same and enjoy the sport he loves.

WELLSBURG — Brooke senior Josh Ferguson will be the first to tell you that soccer is his passion. He has been around the sport his whole life, playing the game since he was 4 years old.

What Ferguson also acknowledges is that he has been fortunate to not have to worry about having apparel or equipment to play the game that he loves. With his mindset, Ferguson wanted to find a way to give back in a big way.

So, for his senior project, Ferguson made the decision to collect soccer equipment and donate it to the U.S. Soccer Foundation Passback Program.

“Obvious the first thing is, soccer is my passion,” Ferguson said. “Every since I was little, I have always been super fortunate. I’ve always had everything I’ve needed. I know soccer is an expensive sport, whether you’re just buying cleats or you’re playing on a club team, which I’m thankfully able to do.”

In early August, Ferguson typed up a letter with an explanation of what his intentions of his project were, and Brooke soccer coach Joe Pepe helped get the word out.

And his project has taken off. Local residents and other teams from around the state and the Ohio Valley have continued to donate to make Ferguson’s program a success.

“It really means a lot that a bunch of people have helped me,” Ferguson said. “Soccer is not the most understood sport in the world. But soccer is my sport and I love it. I’m happy that other people share the same passion and want to help. They understand what that deal is, they understand that not everybody has this ability to come and do it. They want to come and help me and I really appreciate that because this is a big thing for me. I’ve never done something like this before. It feels good.”

Ferguson can continue his project up until December. If he feels comfortable that he will still gather items, he will allow as many donations as possible. He will then start to ship stuff off to the U.S. Passback Program through the U.S. Soccer Foundation.

Passback, according to their website (https://ussoccerfoundation.org/programs/passback), will collect the equipment and distribute to children to undeserved communties where children love the sport but don’t have the resources to play.

The items that Ferguson has been collecting includes jerseys, shorts, shinguards, cleats, socks, soccer bags, and soccer balls.

“I wanted to do something that would really impact others for a longer time,” Ferguson said. “You’re not able to play if you don’t have any equipment. It’s important. I wanted to be able to give those that don’t have the luck I have when I was growing up, the ability to play and have what they need. I wanted to make sure they can have fun like I do and play the game that I love. I know for sure, it’s going to be going to someone that needs it. That’s my goal.”

And after its all said and done, just when you thought he did enough, he again will give back.

“After I do all this, I’m going to send thank you letters to everybody via social media, e-mail, letter. So I’m going to have some time to get everything finished off… As much as I can get. I don’t want to limit anything.”

Ferguson started his senior year off with a bang. As well as collecting the equipment, including getting a haul at the Brooke Soccer Classic, he opened up his senior season with a hat trick — all three coming in the first half — as the Bruins defeat John Marshall, 7-0.

“Josh is a great, young man,” Pepe said. “He comes to me and says, ‘Coach, I want to do a senior project. I want to collect all the old soccer gear and the things that people are not using for the underprivileged.’ I supported him 100 percent. We start(ed) with the Soccer-Rama first. He put together a letter and I sent it out to all the coaches. A lot of coaches were telling me, ‘That’s fantastic.’ Guys have been calling me telling me they were going to drop off uniforms or whatever it is.

“He is a good, young man. Soccer-skilled, soccer-knowledged. He has been playing 4-or-5-years old. He’s our senior captain right now and honors student. Couldn’t have asked for a better young man.”

Ferguson is also the lone senior on the team. And he has led by example not just on the field, but off. And with the community supporting him, he hopes one day, he will see someone step up and take a role into helping others.

“I hope one day when I get older, I see somebody else doing something like this whether it’s football, baseball, soccer or golf. Every sport has equipment, it’s expensive and I want everyone to be in the same good shape. I don’t want someone that is playing bare-footed or with cleats that are falling apart. I want everyone to be having fun and feeling the same. Everybody is human and nobody is better than someone else.

“Some people may be better at the sport, but they’re not a better person. Everybody is the same and everyone deserves the same chance that I have.”

He has taken the leadership role with pride.

And he also wants to let his younger teammates know even the smallest deeds can create the largest impact.

“I really like to lead my team, help them out and set by example,” Ferguson said. “I want them to do something that can impact the area. This isn’t the biggest thing that has been done, but it’s something. I’m thankful for my parents (Lisa and Todd) because they’ve helped me so much. They helped me set this thing up and get the idea. I’m glad that I can show my teammates that it doesn’t take a miracle to do something simple for somebody. Just try it. It makes you feel better at the end of the day.”