OUR STORY
Future Stars Soccer Academy was created over 20 years ago by two friends and former college and professional players looking to give back to the game of soccer.
A LIFETIME IN THE GAME
Jon Akin and Gilbert Jean-Baptiste followed each other from afar as they both put together very successful college careers at St. Leo University and Southern Connecticut State University, respectively. After becoming college All-Americans, they eventually met through a college-soccer awards event. As they ended their university careers, both went on to play professionally, eventually playing together with both the Charleston Battery and the Atlanta Silverbacks. Their friendship took off from there and has only deepened during the past nearly 25 years, as they brought up their families together and continued to work closely professionally.
In 2001, the friends and former teammates created Future Stars Soccer Academy with the goal of providing what other soccer camps and clubs could not: private soccer training, seasonal camps and clinics run by active professionals. Their deep network of players and coaches means you may meet local soccer celebrities, national team and World Cup players when they run camps and practice sessions.
Future Stars soccer camps were created to develop boys and girls who aspire to become better players. We welcome players of all ages, including coaches. We provide a safe and professional environment on the campus of Oglethorpe University where players learn what it takes to become a successful soccer player.
JON AKIN
Jon Akin grew up in Pensacola, Florida, where he attended Pensacola Catholic High School. Following graduation in 1995, he continued his playing career at Saint Leo University. As a freshman, he was named First-Team All-Conference and All-South. In 1996, he scored 28 goals and had 16 assists to lead the nation in scoring. He was All-American, All-South and the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year. In 1997, Akin was First-Team All-American, All-South and All-Sunshine State Conference. In 1998, he ended his career at Saint Leo finishing second all-time in career goals with 61 and first in assists with 45.
In 1998, he spent three months with Independiente of the Argentine First Division.
In 1999, Jon was drafted by the Charleston Battery in the first round of the A-League draft. In 2000, Jon played in all 32 games for the Battery, who lost in the 2nd round of the playoffs to the eventual champs, Rochester Raging Rhinos. During the 2000 off-season, Jon played with Kilkenny City of the Irish Premier League.
In 2001, Jon played 26 games for the Battery before losing to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the playoffs. He began the 2002 season with the Charleston Battery before being traded to the Atlanta Silverbacks, where Jon played 20 games.
Jon has been the head men’s soccer coach at Oglethorpe University since 2003. He is also a co-founder of Brookhaven FC.
GILBERT JEAN-BAPTISTE
Gilbert grew up in Montreal, Canada, but is originally from Haiti. In 1995, he came to the United States where he attended Mercer County Community College for one year. During that season he was named Defender of the Year, Final Four All-Tournament and First Team All-American. His team won the 1995 National Championship.
The following year Gilbert transferred to Southern Connecticut State University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree, majoring in Computer Science. After one year he was named Co-Captain and was already a 2 time All-New England and All-Conference. As a senior, after three consecutive trips to the Final Four, he won the Men’s Division II National Championship. Furthermore, he was named All-New England, All-Conference, First team All-American and 1998 Conference Defender of the Year, all of which led to his 1998 Men’s Division II Player of the Year award.
After a successful college career he signed his first professional contract with the Charleston Battery where he was named Rookie of the Year. He was rewarded for his impact in the A-League and named to the All-Star Team for three consecutive years. As a defender, he scored an impressive 8 goals and 2 assists, leading his team in minutes played.
In 2002, he signed for the Atlanta Silverbacks, where he continued with his success accumulating 3 goals and 1 assist. In his four years as a professional, he participated in two World Cup Qualification campaigns and fell twice to Trinidad. He has represented his country in two Gold Cups and amassed a total of 11 caps and was the Haitian National Team’s Captain.
As Head Coach for The Blessed Trinity Catholic High School girls, Gilbert won the 2006, 2007 and 2008 State Championship.
HAVE A QUESTION?
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns related to Future Stars Soccer Academy summer soccer camps or if you are interested in private training.
We have players from local soccer clubs across Metro Atlanta including UFA, NASA-Top Hat, GSA, Concorde Fire and Inter Atlanta.
Send us a message using the online form or contact us directly at info@fssoccercamps.com or (678) 664-9604.