Do you know the history of great soccer duos that have graced the world’s pitch?
Players like Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Júnior all have won countless championships and medals for their clubs; truly World Cup champion material. Schoolcraft’s 2024 roster includes two players who bring an equally dynamic presence to the field. Brothers, Jevaughn and Kevaughn Harris, play together and learn from each other when it comes to soccer. What’s even more special is that they’re twins, with immense talent, ready to make their mark on American soccer.
Moving to a new city, let alone a new country can be overwhelming. Learning a new language and adapting to a new culture can definitely be challenging. The Harris brothers moved from York Castle, Jamaica, to Livonia, MI. The culture of Livonia however has made the process easier for them. The community is filled with warm and kind people who are welcoming. The assistant coaches and Schoolcraft head coach Rick Larson especially has helped them adjust to this new lifestyle, supporting the brothers every step of the way. Assistant coach Johnny Garcia invited the Harris brothers to live with him and his family. Garcia stated “enjoys the Jamaican cookout we have once a month and trying out different foods from their culture.” The Harris brothers love sharing their culture from 1100 miles away.
It is reassuring for the brothers to know they can rely on Schoolcraft College’s warm-hearted faculty to make this their second home, providing an inclusive atmosphere for all students of every race and ethnicity.
While Schoolcraft provided a smooth transition for Jevaughn and Kevaughn, there is a bigger reason why they chose to come here.
The brothers were attracted to the top-notch soccer program that Schoolcraft offers. The many trophies the program has won brought an aura of prestige that caught the attention of both brothers.
Jevaughn is grateful for his brother Kevaughn, as he provided this opportunity when he transferred to Schoolcraft. Kevaughn played against the Schoolcraft soccer team last year and mentioned how formidable they were. He enjoyed the environment at Schoolcraft, as well as the head coach and assistant coaches, and the overall school. Both brothers are excited to be part of Schoolcraft’s winning mentality, especially when it comes to soccer.
On the field, Jevaughn’s position is midfielder, the main focus on both defending and attacking. Kevaughn, who plays forward, focuses on attacking and moving forward. With their precise communication and training, they create vital opportunities to help the Schoolcraft soccer team win their games.
As they continue to train hard this season, they face what could be their biggest challenge: communication among teammates. However, Jevaughn and Kevaughn have overcome that barrier with dedication and patience.
On the field, both brothers understand each other instinctively. Jevaughn knows where to pass the ball, and Kevaughn understands where to position himself to receive it. That’s no surprise, given that they’ve known each other for so long. However, their teammates speak Spanish and come from countries like Ecuador and Mexico. An obstacle they have had to overcome when communicating with teammates.
Yet, after playing many games together and undergoing rigorous training, their communication has improved, making it easier to understand one another. Overall, communication has become less challenging. Even learning Spanish from their teammates, strengthening their bonds.
With many great soccer role models in the world, Jevaughn and Kevaughn look up to the highest-paid Al-Nassr superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo. At age 39, he still performs at the highest level.The biggest aspect Jevaughn respects about Cristiano Ronaldo is his hard work and dedication to the sport. His work ethic inspires him. For Kevaughn, it’s Ronaldo’s skillful talent on the field—his quick dribbling, precise shooting, and vision on and off the ball—that earns his admiration. He remembers watching Ronaldo between 2003 and 2007 when he played for Manchester United. Cristiano’s sensational play with Wayne Rooney at such a young age captivated Kevaughn, making him want to emulate his idol. Both brothers focus on playing like Cristiano Ronaldo, taking training and conditioning as seriously as he does.
When not on the field but in the classroom, both are pursuing careers in the medical field. Jevaughn is pre-nursing, and Kevaughn wants to work in healthcare. They are guided by their sister and family, who are very supportive of their journey to Schoolcraft and their educational advancement. They are taking rigorous courses in the science department while training hard for their season.
The Schoolcraft Ocelots Men’s Soccer team has a current record of 5-2 overall. No matter what the record, the Harris brothers understand that soccer is a challenging and unpredictable sport. Jevaughn trusts his coaches to prepare all the players for every upcoming match, and he shows that trust by working hard in training. Kevaughn is thankful for his strong teammates who are dependable both on and off the field. He learns from both their losses and wins, focusing on how to improve in future games.
Kevaughn Harris has played 5 games with 9 goals and 4 assists. Jevaughn Harris has played in 1 game so far, and is hungry for more opportunities to play.
Sophomore defender Billy Bingham, described the brothers as “some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.” Overall, it was nothing but positive remarks about the twins from their teammate.
Jevaughn and Kevaughn joined Schoolcraft for one reason: “A great soccer program. Lots of trophies. Lots of medals. And we love to be a part of this team.” We can both agree that Schoolcraft’s winning mentality will elevate them as soccer players and students.