Dominique Badji ’11, a former EHS soccer standout who now stars in Major League Soccer, joined the EHS boys' soccer program for a video conference in mid-September. The boys asked Badji about life in the MLS and his journey over the years since he graduated from EHS. He talked about volunteering for tornado and pandemic relief in Nashville, how he dealt with the interruption to life during the pandemic-related stoppage in the MLS season, the toughest defenders he's ever faced, and what it's like to constantly compete for a spot in the starting lineup.

Perhaps the most poignant question was posed by Edward Powers ’21, who asked how the current EHS team could replicate the championship teams from Badji’s time at the School. Badji talked about how the special friendships cultivated in the boarding school environment created a culture in which teammates pushed and challenged each other on the field every day and supported one another on and off the field. 

During his career, Badji has played for the Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, and now Nashville SC. He has scored 33 goals and 17 assists in six and a half seasons.