Assistant Coach Kyumin Shin’s return to Northwood School represents an exciting addition to the soccer program. Once a Northwood player himself, Shin developed within the school’s soccer program before continuing his career at NCAA Division I Long Island University.
Shin said he learned important lessons at Northwood that helped him grow as both a person and a soccer player. Now, he wants to pass those lessons on to the next generation.
Shin came to Northwood as a postgraduate student from Seoul, South Korea. He chose Northwood to pursue his goal of playing Division I soccer. As an attacking midfielder, he demonstrated technical ability and awareness on the field. He was named the most valuable player of the 2021 Korea-American Interscholastic Activities Conference Tournament.
Shin made 27 appearances during his LIU career and recorded two assists. His college experience changed his perspective on soccer by exposing him to the physical demands and expectations of the Division I level.
“Don’t take anything for granted, and enjoy every moment,” Shin said. “I dealt with injuries for two years, and it taught me that when your body is healthy, you need to take care of it because it can cost you.”
That is one of the lessons Shin now shares with Northwood’s players.
Shin brings together ideas he learned in South Korea, at Northwood and at LIU. His familiarity with Northwood also allows him to understand the challenges associated with the school’s demanding academic and athletic schedule. He hopes to support players on and off the field while serving as a mentor.
This is also portrayed by Kyumin’s interest in teaching math at Northwood. He has taken the task of teaching Advance Algebra with Financial Applications.
Shin said he wants his players “to be better people, and from there, better footballers and better teammates.”
One of the central qualities he wants them to develop is resilience.
“That will help them handle whatever comes up later in life, on or off the field,” Shin said.