By Emily Lauletta
“I’m always going a hundred miles an hour,” says M.S. in Commerce student and UVA soccer star Talia Staude.
Staude is in the midst of preparing for her big move, the day after graduation, from Charlottesville to Raleigh, where she’ll join the North Carolina Courage as a professional soccer player. After being drafted in January, Staude officially signed with the Courage in March and has already made fast connections with her new teammates.
From Dream to Reality
With so much excitement on the horizon, Staude is grateful for her family, her experiences, and the teams that got her to where she is. Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Staude grew up in a family of four, all athletes, of course. “I’ve dreamed of playing collegiate soccer since I was little,” she says.
Now on the verge of a professional sports career, the UVA defender has not only seen her childhood aspiration materialize but also surpass her expectations.
Staude started playing soccer at just three years old, with the encouragement of her family. “I was thrown into every sport possible,” she recalls.
In middle school, she started playing club soccer; when she got to high school, Staude found herself not only as a leader of her soccer team but also on the school’s basketball and swimming teams.
By her sophomore year, Staude knew she needed to choose, and while the student-athlete enjoyed each sport, “I couldn’t see myself playing anything besides soccer,” she says.
As she rounds out her fifth year as a UVA student-athlete, Staude looks back fondly on the memories she’s made with her teammates, including scoring her first goal as a collegiate athlete and making it to the College Cup her second year on the team.
Staude also expresses gratitude for having a sister, Kiera, who shares her passion for the sport (she plays soccer at the University of Georgia) and has been a significant source of support. “Growing up, we’d always play together and go on runs together,” she says.
Navigating Academics, Athletics, and Personal Passions
As a grad student, Staude has embraced the rigorous academic demands of one of UVA’s most prestigious programs. Despite the challenge, she is thankful for the opportunity it represents. As she looks ahead to her post-soccer career, Staude hopes to leverage both her undergraduate degree in Media Studies and her M.S. in Commerce (Management & Marketing) to transition into sports franchise management.
Completing an advanced degree while simultaneously co-captaining the UVA team—all while beginning a career as a professional athlete—is by no means an easy feat. Staude emphasizes that student-athletes, far from one dimensional, dedicate a great deal of time to both school and sports.
“You have a lot to offer outside of sports,” she says when asked what advice she would give to high school seniors about to embark on their journeys as student-athletes.
“One dimensional” certainly does not apply to Staude, who, even with her packed schedule, has found time to enjoy reading, volunteering, and even painting jeans, a hobby she picked up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once she finishes her M.S. in Commerce degree, Staude hopes to get more involved with the North Carolina Courage’s book club and seek out new volunteer opportunities through the team.
Outside of her hobbies, Staude has an immense love for animals. In fact, a few short years ago, she adopted a dog that she lovingly named Gavin. Gavin has since become the unofficial mascot for the UVA Women’s Soccer team, and of course, will be accompanying her on her move to Raleigh early this summer.
Staude also reflects on the many travel opportunities that soccer has given her. The sport has taken her around the world, from South Korea to South America, with her favorite places to visit being Uruguay and Argentina. “Getting to meet different people from different places has been amazing,” she notes.
Traveling will be a constant in Staude’s life for the foreseeable future. Not only do professional soccer teams often travel to different countries, such as Mexico or Costa Rica, for their preseasons, but the North Carolina Courage will also play each of the 14 U.S.-based teams across their lengthy seasons.
While this schedule may seem daunting to many, Staude feels nothing but excitement about her future with the National Women’s Soccer League team, especially with her Courage teammates, including friend and fellow former UVA player Haley Hopkins. “We have a drive to get better, which is awesome,” Staude says of her new team.
Embracing New Horizons
Undoubtedly, Staude’s trajectory as a professional athlete is promising, and with her impending McIntire degree, she may carve out a notable career path in sports management down the road. For now, Staude is taking it all in stride and looking forward to finishing up her UVA career, settling into her new home in Raleigh, NC, spending time with Gavin, and if she has time, maybe even learning to crochet.
Staude epitomizes the multidimensional nature of student-athletes, proving that the pursuit of excellence extends far beyond the field. As she embarks on this new chapter of her life, one thing is certain: Her journey is just beginning.
