PHILADELPHIA – Jourdan McVicker will graduate from La Salle in May, earning her undergraduate degree in marketing. McVicker, who carries a sparkling 3.91 GPA has already been offered a job by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), but instead has chosen to return to 20^th & Olney next fall to work on her master's and put the finishing touches on what has been an equally sparkling collegiate soccer career.

McVicker was a highly touted recruit during her high school years, thrice earning East Region All-American and All-State status as well as being named an NSCAA/Adidas High School All-American in 2007. Her stardom was sure to continue in college, until a knee injury requiring micro fracture surgery derailed the young star's progress.

Head coach Paul Royal noted McVicker's resilience through the injury, which he considered career-threatening.

“This injury gave us the ability to see how bad Jourdan wanted to be an elite player for our program,” Royal said. “She worked extremely hard with her rehab and fitness in the off season to enter her sophomore season earning a starting position.”

Just 11 games into the 2010 campaign, the injury bug struck McVicker again. This time, she suffered a severe ankle injury which sidelined her for the rest of the year.

Instead of folding or showing discouragement, McVicker stood up to adversity once again, and she hasn't looked back since.

“This tough part of her journey defined what type of amazing character Jourdan possesses,” Royal said. She has one of the toughest, grittiest mentalities that I've ever had the privilege to coach.”

That mentality is clearly evident on the soccer field and in the classroom as McVicker has garnered a wave of recognition over the last couple years. She was named a second-team All-Atlantic 10 selection as well as an A-10 All-Academic selection this past season. Additionally, the senior was a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District choice. McVicker also earned 2012 Atlantic 10 Tournament MVP recognition for her role in the Explorer's conference championship.

La Salle has gone 38-8-4 with McVicker as a starter over the past three years.

“Jourdan typically has the responsibility to match up with our oppositions' top player,” Royal said. “It is such an advantage for us to have a player that frustrates some of the best players in the country. I'm confident in saying that I rate Jourdan as one of the top five defensive midfielders in the nation.”

McVicker's on-field accomplishments are even more impressive when considering her academic prowess. The senior was selected to Beta Gamma Sigma, an international business society which hosted a student forum in Jacksonville, Florida last month.

“The forum brings together student members from colleges and universities across the country and world for a chance to improve leadership and teamwork skills, discover themselves, take a positive step forward in their professional lives, and network,” McVicker said. “Through this experience I gained a lot of important skills and knowledge that I believe I can apply to being a captain this year as well as my professional and personal life. I also met a lot of amazing people that have touched my life and I will stay in contact with for many years.”

McVicker's success has rubbed off on her younger sister, Jillian, a freshman goalkeeper at Ohio State. The pair was named Top Drawer Soccer's Co-Players of the Week on November 5 after both were named defensive MVP in their respective conference tournaments.

“Our family was so blessed to have both of us achieve so much, but we both couldn't have done it without our team, coaches, and parents,” Jourdan said. “My sister and I do not compete or try to one up each other, we just support, inspire, and push each other to be the best we can be.”

“Jourdan has been my role model as long as I can remember,” Jillian said. “She is such a strong and hard working individual, and always puts others first. When I see her succeed in academics and athletics, it just proves to me that through a strong work ethic and persistence anything is achievable.”

What might happen if La Salle and Ohio State matched up in the NCAA Tournament next season?

“I would be extremely intimidated and I do not get intimidated often,” Jillian said. “Jourdan is so strong and consistent in the way she plays, and has a rocket of a shot. She would certainly give me a run for my money! And, the loser would have to buy the winner ice cream.”           

Jourdan eagerly anticipates her final season as an Explorer and believes her team will have its best season yet in the upcoming campaign.

 “I'm really excited and grateful I got this chance because next year we'll do even better than we did last year,” McVicker said. “We're going to defend our title as A-10 champions and also leave our mark on the NCAA tournament.”

After all, the FDIC can wait.