A Leader On and Off the Field: Adul Samon ’23

Winning this season’s New York State Association of Independent Schools championship was a thrill for the boys varsity soccer team. But for one player, the taste of victory was especially sweet.

Playing on a championship team may have been a goal for junior midfielder Adul Samon ’23 but not a priority. He enrolled at The Masters School a year ago from his home in Thailand, as part of a journey to expand his academic opportunities – and after surviving a harrowing, life-changing rescue operation that made headlines around the world.

In 2018, Samon and his 11 soccer teammates and coach were trapped in Thailand’s Tham Luang caves for more than two weeks before a dramatic and miraculous rescue by international cave divers. Samon’s knowledge of four languages was instrumental in communicating with rescuers. “From that experience, I learned a lot, I became stronger and it let me think more positively in my life,” he said.

That perseverance and strength of character has made him a soccer standout at Masters.

“He was a clear choice to be a captain this year despite it being his first year on the team because of the example he sets. Adul is the definition of diligent, hard-working and conscientious,” explained Neil Jaggernauth, assistant coach of the boys varsity soccer team and middle school math teacher.

The pandemic delayed Samon’s first season of play, so celebrating a championship as co-captain in his second year at Masters was more than he could ask for. “When we won the game, I said ‘Oh my God, this is amazing,’” he shared. “I never thought about this moment because I came here to study, and I never dreamed of being a champion.”

Samon’s love of sports started when he was a child. He was athletic and did well at track because of his speed. As a volleyball player, he was recruited to play for the international team in Thailand. He played for six years but wanted to try a sport where he could use more of his physicality. Fueled by his admiration for professional soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Samon started to get more serious about the sport. “I like to move everything: my body, my hands, my legs, my head. And also my brain is moving since I have to use it to figure out ‘what should I do next?’”

His physical style of play is what defines him on the pitch. “Adul plays the defensive midfield position like a player three times his size and consequently does the work of about three people throughout the game,” Jaggernauth said. “He is absolutely fearless stepping into

After their rescue, Samon, seated on the left, and his Thai soccer teammates were invited to the United Kingdom. While there, they took in a Manchester United game and toured the stadium.

tackles and disrupting the other team’s buildup of play while starting our attack as well.”

Off the field, Samon misses home but as a boarding student embraces his Masters family. “It’s pretty cool to be in New York and here on campus,” he said. “I like the community. We are very close with each other: the teachers and the students.” Being a part of the team and making friends has helped Samon acclimate to his new surroundings. “When we’re on the bus for away games, we get to talk and get to know each other,” Samon explained. “We get hyped up together and say ‘C’mon let’s go and win this game!’”

Those friends have also helped him overcome his shyness. “I wasn’t really talkative when I started playing soccer with the team, but you have to talk more, you can't just keep quiet,” he said. “When you play soccer, you have to be confident so that you can show your ability to play, and your teammates can trust you so they send the ball to you.”

Jaggernauth added: “I saw him step out of his comfort zone to try to work on being more vocal and involved because he knew that was what the team needed.”

Samon is grateful for the insight and passion that Jaggernauth and head coach Ray Franklin have instilled in him — and the feeling is mutual. “Adul is a pleasure to have on any team and has a fantastic attitude towards his game and his players,” Franklin shared. “He is a coach’s dream and he inspires other players around him.”

Meanwhile, the story of Samon and his Thai soccer team continues to inspire and capture global attention, most recently in a National Geographic documentary and in upcoming Netflix and Hollywood productions.

While that experience is indelibly etched in Samon’s memory, he has moved on and is creating a new narrative. Like many other Masters students, he is busy writing papers, doing homework, playing guitar and thinking about college. Soccer, however, remains a constant in his life. It is always on his mind. “I’m excited for the next season to start,” he said. “I can’t wait.”