Menzies family donates largest gift ever to Husky Men’s Soccer
As a self-described “middling soccer player from Canada,” Scott Menzies arrived at the University of Washington in 2014 as a wide-eyed kid with dreams. He left four years later as a leader with unbridled potential. And he credits Husky Men’s Soccer Head Coach Jamie Clark for playing a huge role in his transformation.
“When you’re a first-year athlete and you come in thinking, ‘I’m the man and I’ve ripped up my hometown league’, and then Jamie puts you on the bench, it’s tough,” recalls the Big W member, who graduated in 2018 with a BA in Political Science). “Then, he asks you to lead from that position. It changes you. He’s such a role model. He focuses on turning out great soccer players and outstanding citizens.”
Scott was a key contributor to the 2018 team and earned a scholarship his final year. Because Coach Clark influenced his life so profoundly, Scott’s family decided to honor the 14-season head coach by establishing two endowments: one funding a scholarship and one providing critical program support. It is the most generous gift ever given to the program.
“No one has done more for me and my family than UW Soccer,” states Scott. “The endowments last forever and it’s great to be able to give back in that way.”
Husky Soccer transformed life for Scott’s parents, too. Gary and Katie Menzies, who moved from West Vancouver to Seattle, say their son was “intellectually and athletically inspired” by Jamie and emerged from the program with a new sense of confidence.
“Scott was my first to leave the nest. But when we drove off after our first visit, I wasn’t nervous anymore. I knew he’d have such great guidance and such an amazing experience,” recalls Katie.
Today, Scott maintains firm ties to the program. He loves joining the team for practices.
This past summer, Scott tied the knot with Haley Higgins (2018, B.A. Public Health), who played club soccer at the University. Coach Clark and 12 former UW teammates attended the wedding in Prichard, Idaho.
