James Stover
Dr. James Stover, originally from Ruidoso, New Mexico, has a lifelong connection to the game of soccer. A standout in high school, he led the state in goals during his senior year and competed at the highest levels of youth soccer through the Olympic Development Program with the Region IV team. James went on to attend the University of Virginia before completing his studies at Vanderbilt University, where he played club soccer and served as the starting kicker for the Commodores football team, earning Academic All-American honors. He later earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry and has since built a successful career in the life sciences industry. James now resides in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife and two daughters, Anna Kate and Maurie Grace, and continues to play the game he loves.
My Story
Growing up in Ruidoso, New Mexico, soccer was more than a sport—it was where I found my passion, discipline, and competitive drive. From early days in youth leagues to earning a place on the Region IV Olympic Development Program team, I developed both the technical skills and love for the game that would carry me forward. My senior year of high school was a special one, leading the state in goals scored and cementing my desire to keep the game central in my life.
College brought new opportunities both on and off the field. At Vanderbilt University, I balanced athletics with academics, playing club soccer and serving as the starting kicker for the Commodores football team, while also earning Academic All-American honors. That balance of sport and scholarship eventually carried me to complete a Ph.D. in Chemistry, opening the door to a career in the life sciences industry.
Soccer, though, has always remained constant. Whether competing as a youth, kicking in the Southeastern Conference in college, or playing today in Nashville, the game has given me friendships, lessons, and experiences that shape who I am. Now with a beautiful wife and two daughters, Anna Kate and Maurie Grace, I take pride in still stepping onto the field—not just to compete, but to stay connected to a sport that has been at the center of my story from the very beginning.