By Alex Frazier
Sean Peckham’s sittin’ pretty.
The Central Bucks East senior has put his college decision behind him.
Ahead of him is the prospect of one of the best seasons in East history.
And beyond that is the potential of playing in the national pool.
In early August, Peckham gave his verbal commitment to attend Lafayette University. The talented central midfielder had many options to choose from, including Villanova, Colgate, Notre Dame and Temple.
Peckham also had the academic credentials, sporting a 3.8 GPA and 1140 SAT’s.
Several factors clinched the choice, including proximity to home, academics and the soccer program.
“I know my parents like to come watch me, and I thought it would be good to get a place nearby so they could come up and watch my games,” he said. “And I was trying to get a school that would help me in the future more academically.”
Peckham is undecided about a major but is considering business.
Lafayette typically finishes in the top three in the Patriot League. Peckham knew some of last year’s freshmen recruits whom he had played against.
“The coach and the team were the best fit for me,” he said. “I thought it would be a good opportunity to play for a good team, a good atmosphere.”
When Lafayette offered him a 90 percent scholarship, the deal was sealed.
He expects to play center midfield.
There’s no question that Peckham is East’s premier player, one that will influence the success of this year’s season. He was a first-team all league and all-state selection last year and one of only two District One regional All-Americans. He also led the team in scoring last year and plays in the Olympic Development program on the regional level.
Since the end of last season, Peckham has been busy with soccer.
Last April he traveled with the regional team to Italy. In a tournament about an hour from Venice, his team won all of its games.
He also played in a number of tournaments for his VE team, including the Dallas Cup and the Jacksonville (Fla.) and Potomac tournaments, as well as a tournament in Disney World with the regional team.
He returned to Europe for two weeks over the summer, playing in the Arsenal International Festival in England, which his team won, and then went on to play some “friendlies” in Germany.
“We did OK,” he said. “We tied and lost a game.”
Soccer has certainly given Peckham an international perspective.
“I’ve been to a lot of places just because of soccer,” he said. “It’s given me a lot of opportunities to do stuff I probably wouldn’t have been able to do.”
That window of opportunity might just get even wider if he gets the nod to play in the national pool, which could happen late winter.
“He could possibly break into the national pool sometime during the year,” said his coach Mike Gorni.
With his college choice behind him, Peckham is looking forward to his final high school season.
“That helps,” he said. “I don’t have to worry about calling coaches and talking to them. I can focus on the high school season and having a good time.”
Having made it to the state quarterfinals last year with a young team and several key injuries, expectations are running high for this year’s East team.
Needless to say, Peckham and his teammates will be under the gun.
“Of course there is a little pressure, but we’ll just go out and take one game at a time, just focus on ourselves and not anything else,” he said. “We have to stay healthy. We’re working hard; we’re a little eager to get started.”
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