Hunter Jumper

Hunter Jumper (born February 28, 1989) is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for National Premier Soccer League club Georgia Storm.

Hunter Jumper
Personal information
Date of birth (1989-02-28) February 28, 1989
Place of birth Plano, Texas, United States
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Georgia Storm
Youth career
0000–2008 Solar SC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Virginia Cavaliers 79 (5)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2014 Chicago Fire 7 (1)
2021– Georgia Storm 0 (0)
National team‡
2007 United States U18 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of January 4, 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of April 2, 2012

College career

Jumper played his collegiate career at Virginia. During his four years with the Cavaliers, he was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Tournament team three times.[1]

Professional career

Chicago Fire

Jumper was selected with the 28th pick of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by Chicago Fire.[2] After taking part in preseason, he officially signed for the club on March 6.[3] Jumper made his club and professional debut on March 17, coming on as a 68th-minute substitution in a 1–1 draw against Montreal Impact.[4] His lone professional goal came on August 23, 2013, helping the fire defeat Sporting Kansas City by a 1–0 scoreline.[5]

At the beginning of the 2014 season, Jumper was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. After undergoing treatment at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital, he was denied medical clearance to play sports and was forced to retire as a professional player.[6] The Fire officially declined his contract option on November 18, ending his time with the club after eight appearances and one goal in all competitions.[7][8]

Retirement and comeback

Following his retirement, Jumper returned to the University of Virginia to complete his bachelor's degree, "went into finance, got a master’s degree, and started writing for a sports analytics company.”[6] He stayed active in soccer, spending the 2014 collegiate season as a graduate assistant coach at Virginia and criticizing the coaches, owner, and club culture of the Fire on Twitter.[9] In 2020, Jumper received medical clearance to begin playing soccer again.[6] He made his return to the sport on January 4, 2021, signing for National Premier Soccer League expansion club Georgia Storm after going through the club's tryout process. He became the first senior-level signing in club history.[10]

International career

Jumper made one appearance for the United States under-18 national team.[6]

References
  1. "Honors & Awards" (PDF). Virginia Cavaliers. University of Virginia. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  2. Leung, Brian (January 12, 2012). "2012 MLS SuperDraft Results: Hunter Jumper to Chicago Fire, Brian Ownby goes undrafted". Streaking the Lawn. SB Nation. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  3. "Fire signs MLS draft pick Hunter Jumper". Daily Herald. Paddock Publications. March 7, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  4. Thornton, Tweed (March 18, 2012). "Chicago Fire vs. Montreal Impact - Quotes, highlights, box score". Hot Time in Old Town. SB Nation. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  5. Farley, Richard (August 24, 2013). "Hunter Jumper's first career goal lifts Chicago past Sporting KC". NBC Sports. NBC Sports Group. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  6. Ferree, Ben (January 25, 2021). "Former Chicago Fire standout Hunter Jumper begins comeback at the Georgia Storm". National Premier Soccer League. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  7. Chicago Fire Communications (November 18, 2014). "Chicago Fire Exercise Contract Options On Six Players". Chicago Fire Soccer Club. Major League Soccer. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  8. "Hunter Jumper – Chicago Fire player registry". Chicago Fire FC. Major League Soccer. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  9. Whiting, Jeremy (September 14, 2015). "Ex-Player Slams Chicago Fire on Twitter". Last Word On Sports. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  10. "Storm signs first player to inaugural season roster". Georgia Storm. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
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