Max Heberlein ’25 grinds out his Skidmore legacy, builds toward a successful future

Prior to the start of the 2023 Skidmore men’s soccer season, Max Heberlein ’25 reflected on his position. “I love the opportunity to be a team captain,” he said. “I’m lucky. It’s a template for real life.”
 
The hard-nosed defender from Marshfield, Mass., didn’t know how right he was with his “real life” analogy. Between some inconsistent play and the loss of key players to graduation and injury, the season saw the Thoroughbreds fall from their fifth appearance in the Liberty League championship game last year to a 3-6 mark in league (4-10-2 overall), not good enough for post-season play.
 
As a “hyper-competitive person” who has mostly experienced success on the soccer pitch, it was a challenging year for Heberlein, especially with his new leadership role. “When you go through a rough stretch, a lot of the little things that get overlooked when you’re winning start to show up. Returning players had to dig deep to stay positive, and first-year players had to grow up fast.”
 
Heberlein was vital in keeping the team on task, according to longtime assistant coach Jared Micheller.

As a leader, Max thinks about the game from a coach’s perspective and brings all the attributes we want in our players, one of the most important being consistency day in and day out. He truly holds himself and his teammates accountable to a high standard, which is easier said than done in today’s climate. He’s old-school.”

Jared Micheller

assistant men’s soccer coach

On a personal level, Heberlein, who logged a team-high 1,300 minutes, earned a 2023 All-Liberty League Honorable Mention. In 2022, he was a Liberty League Second Team selection.

The two-sport Skidmore athlete — he also walked onto the lacrosse team — is a vocal and physical presence with a high soccer IQ. “As an undersized center back, working hard and playing smart is what gets you on the field,” says the 5'10'' Heberlein.
 

His leadership was on full display in the final minutes of the team’s first Liberty League home game against Hobart in late September. “Everything! Everything!” he barked to his teammates as they prepared to defend a dangerous corner kick and preserve a 1-1 tie. “Get up, get up,” he commanded after a successful clearance. 
 
Ultimately it wasn’t enough, as Skidmore conceded on a corner kick in the 85th minute. Heberlein hung his head briefly after the ball trickled across the goal line, then summoned his energy to push his team on. After all, there were five minutes left to play.
 
Maybe he was channeling James Kerr’s book “Legacy,” which he asked his teammates to read before the season. The book is about an iconic South African rugby team, the All Blacks, and what makes them so successful. It addresses questions like: How do you handle pressure, expectations, and setbacks? What is your purpose? What will be your legacy?
 
The right fit after all
 
If it weren’t for his mother, the business major and economics minor would never have come to Skidmore. As a “COVID kid,” his last two years at Noble and Greenough School in the Boston area had been compromised, and the all-state athlete planned to go to a larger school in his home state and forsake college sports.
 
Even when Skidmore men’s soccer coach Jeremiah Kneeland reached out to him – the only college coach to do so – he wasn’t overly interested. His mother wasn’t buying it: “You spent your whole life wanting to play college sports and you’re not even going to try?” 
 
On the car ride home from visiting Skidmore, his parents asked him what he thought? “I like it, I think I might go,” he said. His thought process: “Having the opportunity to study business, play sports, and be in a beautiful town (not only for me, but also my parents and family) was a really big draw.”
 
Always getting better
 
Flash forward and Heberlein couldn’t be happier about his decision. “Being part of two sports teams is the best decision I’ve made. I have a group of 75 brothers who I see every day.” 
 
Plus, he loves his business major and is particularly excited to have been selected to participate in the Skidmore-Saratoga Consulting Partnership (SSCP), an advanced seminar that provides students the opportunity to gain hands-on consulting experience with local businesses and nonprofits.

 
Heberlein’s student group is working with iRun LOCAL, a premier running and walking specialty store in downtown Saratoga Springs. His focus is on thinking through how to enhance iRun’s online retail presence. Thus far, he says the experience has reassured him that “I will be able to apply my skills in the real world.”
 
Meanwhile, he and his lacrosse teammates are looking forward to what they believe will be an exciting 2024 season. Last season was the best in over a decade for the program. Head lacrosse coach Joe Martin says, “The group is incredibly close-knit, experienced, and very focused on the process of getting better.”

 
Martin is bullish on what the midfielder brings to the team. “Max approaches all facets of his life with an incredible work ethic and level of commitment. His leadership and competitiveness has a profound impact on our team.”
 
Game by game, class by class, Heberlein is grinding out his Skidmore legacy and a successful future.