Max Touloute figures he’s waited 21 years for this, so what’s the harm in holding off for another few days?
The IPFW senior, who was the Summit League’s men’s soccer offensive player of the year, is in Kansas, waiting patiently for legal documents to arrive in Wichita so he can get on with his professional career.
Born in Haiti, but honed his soccer playing chops in Fort Wayne – first with Concordia, where he was the 2008 SAC player of the year, then at IPFW – Touloute has earned a roster spot with the Wichita Wings, which has a 6-9 record in the Major Indoor Soccer League.
But before he can join his teammates, which includes South Side graduate Jamar Beasley, there’s a matter of getting the proper forms.
“I just have to do the paperwork,” Touloute said. “Because I am a Haitian national, there is a lot more paperwork. If I was an American citizen, I could play right away. So my paperwork could take a week or so. Hopefully it might get done by next week so I could start playing in the games.”
Touloute, who scored 13 goals last season and finished with 32 in his career, signed a three-year contract to play in Wichita, a member of the seven-team MISL.
While the team might not be Manchester United, it’s a start.
“Ever since growing up in Haiti, my dream was to play pro soccer,” said Touloute, whose goal nine seconds into last year’s Summit League tournament game is the second-fastest in NCAA Division I history. “I realize they don’t make as much money as basketball, football (players), but it’s what I love to do. It’s my top goal in life, to play professional soccer. And now that I have done that, I can only think of going up from here.
“Getting the first step in, getting the first contract is really fulfilling because I’ve accomplished it, and now I have to see how much farther I can get. It’s up to me to see how far I take it.”
Athletes of note
Ryan Cavender (Carroll) has signed a letter of intent to attend Indiana Tech on a track and field scholarship. Cavender ran hurdles for the Chargers. … Indiana Tech’s Brooke Copenhaver (DeKalb) averaged 191.3 to finish 24th in women’s competition and Jaiden Metzger (Snider) had a 188.8 average to finish in 129th place among the men in the Blue and Gold Classic bowling tournament held in South Bend. … Xavier Carr Jr. (Harding) finished tied for first in the high jump with a leap of 6-11 3/4 for Vincennes at the Eastern Illinois Mega Meet last weekend. Carr qualifies for the NJCAA national championship meet. … Indiana Tech’s Herbert Gary was named the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week. The freshman from Indianapolis tied his season-best mark in the high jump with a leap of 6 feet, 9 1/2 inches to win the event at the Grand Valley State University Mike Lints Alumni Open.
