Becoming a professional goalkeeper requires a lot of discipline and focus. Imagine putting on those gloves and training every day, while also studying full time at university.
Mission accomplished for James Pantemis, who just graduated with a bachelor’s in international commerce at the Southern New Hampshire University.
CF Montréal wanted to highlight the moment, especially since James Pantemis can’t take part in his graduation ceremony as he’s off representing Canada for World Cup Qualifiers. The goalkeeper therefore happily participated in this photo shoot, along with his gown and cap, which he couldn’t wait to launch in the air.
Completing his university studies was always important for James and his family. He considers himself privileged to have earned a university diploma. The Kirkland native finished his collegial studies in two years, and if it was up to him, he would’ve completed his university degree in three years. James was simply unavailable to do all his exams due to different situations. He finally finished his degree in three and a half years. Congrats!
The 24-year-old goalkeeper wants to also show kids at the Academy and across the province that anything is achievable. “You can pursue higher education while being a professional soccer player or working full time,” explained Pantemis. “I wanted to be the person that set an example.”
Numerous sacrifices
Pantemis made multiple sacrifices throughout the years. While in college, he quickly realized that he would be confronted with different temptations throughout his entire schooling journey.
While playing with FC Montréal in USL, the young ‘keeper trained in the morning and took the metro to school afterwards to attend his classes, while his teammates went out to eat and played video games in the afternoon. These are the moments James had to focus and resist the temptation to join them.
James cultivated this discipline through his collegial and university years. During away games with the Club, while players went out to eat or played cards, James stayed in his room and studied. On the plane, while others napped or watched series, he was finishing projects and writing dissertations.
Some of the goalkeeper’s fondest memories of studying were with his former teammate and good friend Shamit Shome. “There were times when we had a day off and everyone would go shopping or to the beach,” Pantemis recalled. “We were in our room studying. It was hard at times, but now that I look back, it was worth it.”
In the beginning of July, CF Montréal was still playing out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, due to the pandemic. Taking on NYCFC in Orlando on July 7, the Club flew out the same day and returned, victorious, to their home base in Fort Lauderdale later that same evening. Early next morning, Wilfried Nancy’s men made their return home – for good.
“I had an exam the second we landed in Montreal,” said Pantemis. “I had to prepare for a game and for an exam. It was very important for me to keep my time organized throughout my university years.
James repeated multiple times at what point MLS was accommodating, not only with him, but with all the players studying at the Southern New Hampshire University, which has a partnership with the league.
“There were teachers available at all times to answer all questions or to help with various projects,” added James. “I was very lucky.”
Message to the youth
The most important part of anything is to believe in yourself, according to James. You can always find the time.
“I would finish working in the beginning of the afternoon, and there was still a lot of time left in my day to study,” explained Pantemis. “To whoever wants to follow a similar path, I would suggest they’re well organized and avoid being last minute.”
The CF Montréal goalkeeper has decided to focus all his efforts on the end of the season and on a potential playoff run but isn’t excluding going back to school.
“I’m thinking about it,” said Pantemis. “I want to take advantage of this break to focus all of my energy on my work with CF Montréal. The most important thing right now is to finish the season on a strong note.”
