That Naperville North senior Sam Hess will be a leader this season isn’t surprising.
The Indiana recruit can’t remember a time when he wasn’t.
“As long as I’ve been playing soccer, I’ve always played that role on any team — not only in soccer, but just as a person,” Hess said. “I like to help others set the tone and really make a difference and be somebody to look up to.”
Hess, who started playing soccer when he was 5 years old, has done an exceptional job of that throughout his four-year career.
When Hess was a freshman, the Huskies had future All-Americans Alex Barger, Noah Radeke and Jaxon Stokes. Yet Hess didn’t shy away from advising them.
“We had all these studs, but in big games, Sam was getting into it, giving directions and guiding guys that were top-tier Division I players,” Naperville North coach Jim Konrad said. “Sam has such a drive to win that he’s able to lead through his actions but also through his words.
“To do both at a young age, he’s a special kid.”
A freshman telling upperclassmen what to do is unusual in high school sports. But Hess quickly earned his teammates’ trust and became a team captain for his sophomore season, when the Huskies won the Class 3A third-place game.
“Some might read that as bossy, but he manages that,” Konrad said. “Like all great leaders, if you’re willing to do it, then when you say it, people take it.
“All these kids know, if you drive by Nike Park, you drive by school, Sam is practicing all the time. So guys think, ‘How can you be upset when he’s demanding something of you that he demands of himself?’ It’s Leadership 101.”
Senior defender Colin McMahon said Hess epitomizes what Naperville North soccer is about.
“It’s about staying humble, having the community sense for your team and to just lead everybody,” McMahon said. “He motivates us to work harder. We all build off the energy that he gives to everybody else, so it’s great to play with him.”
Hess is comfortable conversing with adults as well as his peers.
“I’ve always been a bold person,” he said. “I’m very talkative but at the same time very humble. I would always think before I talk, think before I do.
“Those are values that I live by to this day. My parents taught me how to work hard and kind of be quiet about it and let your actions do the talking.”
Hess’ actions speak volumes. Best known as a lockdown defender, he can play multiple positions and will be used more in the midfield this season.
That versatility and personality are reminiscent of Barger, who will be Hess’ teammate again at Indiana.
“He is a lot like Barger in that he is singularly focused on being the best he can be at every part of his life,” Konrad said. “He’s a part of our Top Dawgs leadership program that I run at North.
“He’s naturally serious but in a fun way. He’s someone that wants to take advantage of every opportunity he has.”
That includes the opportunity to play at Indiana, which has won eight national titles and has a current streak of 38 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
“I’m so proud of him for taking this huge challenge,” Konrad said. “He had other places he could have gone, but IU is the dream for any player in the Midwest. It’s a special place.”
So much so that Hess, after conferring with Barger, committed to Indiana before receiving any other official offers.
“Before I even went there on my visit, the feedback he gave me was incredible,” Hess said. “He said it was the best program you could possibly be at in all of Division I college soccer.
“With the team being so competitive, the love from the coaches, the love from the teammates, the atmosphere, the business school, Indiana has the whole package.”
The Huskies have the whole package in Hess, who is expected to be more offensive-minded this season.
“There’s more pressure, but it’s nothing I can’t handle,” he said. “There’s just more to execute for the team. I’ll play anywhere you put me.”
McMahon said the Huskies are in a great spot no matter where Hess plays.
“He’s a great player and great friend,” McMahon said. “Off the field, he’s a great person. But on the field, all the guys have great chemistry, and he fits in the team so well.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
