AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Palo Duro soccer standout Tharcisse Butoyi signed with West Texas A&M University, choosing to continue his career close to home.
The striker was a key part of the Dons offense throughout the season. He scored 27 goals and added 10 assists in 16 district matches.
Family, teammates factor in decision
Butoyi said staying close to his family was important in his decision.
“I get to stay with my family. My family can come and watch me sometimes,” he said. “Plus, I get to play with my old teammates, so I’m very, very excited.”
Coaching helped prepare striker
Butoyi credited Palo Duro coaches for helping him reach the next level.
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“Playing here got me ready, especially with Coach Massie. He gave me a whole different point of view to the game, because back then I would just run everywhere,” he said. “He told me as a striker, if you want to score more goals, you just got to stay up top and stay between the defenders. That’s when the ball’s going to come to you and you’re going to score goals. You just don’t have to do everything for yourself, trust your teammates.”
He plans to major in business at West Texas A&M.
“It meant everything. I’ve been wanting to be a part of Palo Duro since elementary,” he said. “Ever since that day, it has been my dream to be a part of Palo Duro and one day to play for PD. As you can see, I accomplished that and I’m just happy and grateful for that.”
Soccer roots in Africa
Butoyi said his passion for soccer started in Africa.
“To be honest, nothing made me play soccer, it was just love at first sight. Ever since I was born back in Africa, I never knew any other sports, it was just soccer,” he said. “After we would do our chores at home, we would go play soccer or even when [our parents] would call our names to do our chores or go get water, we would be mad. Sometimes run away so our moms can’t catch us so we can continue playing soccer.”
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Coach praises goal scorer
Palo Duro head boys soccer coach Shaun Massie said the West Texas A&M coach is excited about the local recruit, calling Butoyi a rare talent.
“I’ve coached for 23 years, and I’ve coached a lot of kids that are goal scorers, but I don’t think I’ve coached a guy that is this good, that can put a team on his back and say ‘just give me the ball and I’m going to go score’,” he said. “That’s what he did, and that’s pretty much what he’s done for his four years here.”
Massie coached Butoyi for the first time this year.
“When you score that many goals, you can do whatever you want, as long as we take care of business in the classroom,” he said.
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