Retired coach Kropf's grandson to play D-I soccer

By Jeremy Jacob, Sports Editor
Posted 8/24/22

Family of a former Mexico track and field coach is playing college soccer at the highest level.

Max Roberts, a defender and grandson of retired coach Jim Kropf and wife, Sharon, is part of the …

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Retired coach Kropf's grandson to play D-I soccer

Posted

Family of a former Mexico track and field coach is playing college soccer at the highest level.

Max Roberts, a defender and grandson of retired coach Jim Kropf and wife, Sharon, is part of the 2022 University of Evansville men’s soccer recruiting class. The Purple Aces, out of Indiana, play in the Missouri Valley Conference with schools such as Missouri State.

Roberts won a KSHSAA 6A State Championship with Olathe West in Kansas and then played club soccer in MLS Next — a youth soccer league in the United States and Canada that is managed, organized and controlled by Major League Soccer — for Kansas Rush and Cedar Stars Academy. He was a Kansas State Cup Champion in 2018 and 2019 and a Rush Select National Team choice in 20-21.

Roberts is the son of Melissa Kropf Morris and Rodney Morris and Leon and Jennifer Roberts and has one brother, Quinn. He will be majoring in global business.

“I chose UE because it gives me the platform as a Changemaker Campus to continue to grow my organization, Diversity for Change KC, as well as pursue soccer at the D-I level at a solid academic school,” Roberts said.

Roberts established Diversity for Change KC to raise and contribute funds to aid individuals with diverse backgrounds and be “built on creating conversation surrounding cultures and people from around the globe,” according to the organization’s website.

“We believe that it's important to adapt this international lifestyle by sharing the world-making connections, talking about our heritage, and using it to make a positive difference.”

The Purple Aces will try for their first winning season since 2017. Starting with the regular season opener Thursday at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky.


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