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NWSL Kansas City Current

Kansas City Current Announces Groundbreaking Higher Education Partnership with University of Missouri-Kansas City

December 13, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Kansas City Current News Release


KANSAS CITY - The Kansas City Current announced a multi-year partnership with the University of Missouri-Kansas City as the Official Higher Education Partner, beginning in the 2024 NWSL preseason. UMKC will provide first-of-its-kind undergraduate and graduate opportunities to players actively on the Current roster. The Current will provide player and coach mentorship as well as access to Current facilities for preseason training and a match.

"We are so thrilled to announce this new partnership with UMKC," said Current co-owner Angie Long. "We want to provide every opportunity to our players to continue their higher education. We think this relationship will present groundbreaking opportunities and educational access for our athletes as well as the Roos scholar-athletes. We are proud to partner with UMKC and eager to provide a unique education opportunity that can complement the demanding schedules of our professional athletes as they build the skills they need to succeed off the pitch."

This partnership focuses on elevating education on multiple levels. UMKC will provide educational opportunities for KC Current athletes through its robust academic programs. The Current will use its platform to elevate UMKC and its women's soccer program, allowing scholar-athletes to connect with KC Current players for leadership and mentorship. The Roos will get to host one pre-season and one regular season match at the Sports Complex in Riverside, Missouri on the Championship Field in 2024.

UMKC will also be able to share the excitement of KC Current soccer on campus, when it brings its Teal Mobile takeovers to students, with team spirit and merch opportunities.

"Kansas City's groundbreaking team is partnering with Kansas City's groundbreaking university," said UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal, Ph.D. "Both of our institutions are breaking barriers and we intend to keep breaking them."

UMKC has a host of unique programs to elevate students across various professions. UMKC's top-ranked School of Medicine innovated a combined six-year B.A./M.D. program, different from the traditional eight-year program. UMKC founded Supplemental Instruction, a peer-tutoring system now used at hundreds of colleges around the world because it boosts letter grades and retains students through reinforced learning. Just this month, the NASPA Center for First-Generation Student Success designated UMKC a First Scholars Institution, recognizing the university's unique methods of helping first-generation students succeed in college, earning higher GPAs and retention rates when compared with their peers.

The UMKC Division I Athletics program is also exceptional, with students exceling on and off the field. Players on the women's soccer team have a cumulative 3.63 GPA. This year, the Summit League recognized Roos Women's Soccer Coach Jess Smith as its Coach of the Year. Smith also is a coach for the KC Current Summer Camp.

"We are fortunate and grateful to partner with the KC Current organization," said Brandon Martin, Ph.D, UMKC vice chancellor and director of Athletics. "Our mission, goals and priorities are aligned, and we look forward to immediate championship-level synergy. This partnership not only elevates our women's soccer program but propels our effort to advance Kansas City."

These two groundbreaking Kansas City institutions share other deep connections.

UMKC alumni serve as top KC Current leaders: Monica Ngo as Vice President of Human Resources for the Current and Maggie Walters as General Counsel.

UMKC faculty Meg Gibson, M.D., is a physician for the Current.

Current founders and co-owners Angie Long and Chris Long were named Kansas City Entrepreneurs of the Year by UMKC for their leadership roles at Palmer Square Capital Management and their work with the Current, two powerful platforms that are leading the way in making positive change on a global basis.

It's that worldwide emphasis that also makes this partnership groundbreaking in nature. UMKC attracts students from more than 75 countries and the Current's fanbase spans the globe. The Current roster features international players from France, Canada, Sweden, Brazil and Denmark. Kansas City's university and the Current align in their missions to be the best in the world while also being pillars of the Kansas City community.

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