All-UAA First Team honoree and senior midfielder Josh Grand has become an anchor of the Emory men’s soccer team. After helping lead the Eagles to conference play last season, finishing with a 5-1-1 conference record, their best in University Athletic Association (UAA) play since 2008, Grand is now leading the team as co-captain, starting the season off strong with an undefeated 8-0 record.
Last season’s success was nothing new for Grand. As a freshman, Grand tied for the second-most points on the team with nine, including his four goals that season, and tied for third on the team in shots on goal with 13. In his second season with the Eagles, Grand started in all 17 games he played in and was again top three in goals, points and shots on goal. He also scored the first of three goals against Brevard College (N.C.) in the team’s NCAA tournament first-round victory that year. He made the All-UAA Second Team in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Last year, Grand led the team with 10 assists, five of which were on game winners, and played 1,271 minutes — the most of any player on the team. As team co-captain, Grand is a leader both on and off the field. Senior goalkeeper Keirnan Skelly said Grand holds the team to a high standard and keeps them focused on their collective goals.
“[Grand] is a great leader. That’s why we made him team captain,” Skelly said. “As a goalkeeper, he makes the job a lot easier when he is constantly communicating, and working hard … and holding the entire team to a higher standard in what we want to accomplish.”
Graduate midfielder Jack Burgess said Grand inspires the rest of the team through a trickle-down effect.
“He’s obviously a great player, so that drives the team forward when you see your captain doing as well as he’s done,” Burgess said. “He’s a great personality to have around and pushes the team as a unit.”
At almost the midpoint of the season, Grand leads the team in both goals and assists. During the team’s most recent match on Sept. 20 against Hendrix College (Ark.), Grand led the team with two goals and assisted on another. While Grand has certainly earned his awards with his performances on the field, his team-oriented approach and prioritization of group accomplishments over his own make him a true leader.
“At the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is that the team was able to win the conference championship again,” Grand said. “In spite of all individual accolades, what it really boils down to is how the team performs. And that’s also why the beginning of this season has been so rewarding, not because of any individual stats, but because the team has performed so well.”
Grand’s work ethic is present in both an athletic and academic setting, as he is double-majoring in philosophy, politics and law and international studies. Being a student-athlete is no easy feat, but Grand said he has learned how to balance the demands over the years.
“My freshman year, it was a bit of a wake-up call just because you’re now in your own world,” Grand said. “Just learning how to balance it all and make the most of every minute while still remaining sane has been an important skill.”
As his college career nears its end, Grand said his goal for this season is to do whatever it takes to be a good captain and help his team reach the NCAA championship.
“We’ve set our eyes on the third consecutive conference championship, but looking even bigger, we want to be able to contend for the national championship,” Grand said. “Playing my role, whether that’s scoring the goals or getting the assists or just being a good captain, whatever it takes to lift others up and hopefully get a national championship.”
While Grand will graduate in the spring, Burgess said he will continue to impact the program and inspire his teammates for years to come.
“He’s already made his mark quite well for the previous three years he’s been here,” Burgess said. “I don’t think Emory will forget him very easily.”
