The following feature appeared in the January 31, 2025 Volume 8, Issue 10 edition of the SCoop, Siena College's semi-monthly e-newsletter for the Siena community
 
Anthony Rouse '25 was a Siena soccer fanatic long before he was a Siena soccer player. The Albany native went to games as a kid and would try to score autographs from his favorite players. Once, when he was about nine, he grabbed a signature from his all-time favorite Saint, James Beeston '14 (the moment was caught on camera, right). Who could have imagined that same signature would one day be on his checks?
 
Rouse accepted an offer to play college soccer at Coastal Carolina, mainly because he wanted to experience life outside the Capital Region. It wasn't the right fit. Rouse came home after one year, enrolled at Hudson Valley Community College, and nearly gave up on soccer. His mom wouldn't let that happen.
 
"She would send me inspirational quotes every day. She reminded me why I loved the game."
 
Siena – and Beestera Soccer Training – helped reignite the spark, too.
 
Since early high school, Rouse has helped out at soccer camps organized by Beestera – a soccer training academy founded by three Siena alumni, including Beeston. Rouse kept in contact while at Coastal, and throughout his year at HVCC. By then, he realized the right college had been in front of him all along. Rouse transferred to Siena in the fall of '23 and scored a goal for the Saints in a win over Marist to close out the regular season.
 
"This Siena team is one of the best things I've ever been a part of. It's family. Everyone is super close. But that's not just Siena soccer. That's Siena in general."
 
After he rediscovered his passion for the game, Ant was finding his purpose in the classroom. The business major, with a concentration in sports marketing, launched RouseFootball, a series of training videos on Instagram. Next, he needed real-world experience running a soccer training business. He knew just the guys.
 
Ant began his marketing internship with Beestera over winter break. He's developing a marketing campaign, scouting camp locations, negotiating with vendors, and gaining invaluable experience.
 
"Besides the practical knowledge, I've learned to follow your passion and the money will come. Some of these guys had other careers before this. But you need to do what you enjoy. Plus, they run the business like a team, because it takes a team to be successful. No one person is bigger than the company. The owners make sure everyone feels valued."
 
Ant will pursue soccer training full-time, either under his own brand, or perhaps by expanding the Beestera footprint into new markets.
 
"As fellow Siena alums, we're always eager to give Siena students opportunities to explore their passions. Two key values that Ant embodies and align with Beestera are his work ethic and his ability to connect with others. Whether interacting with our staff, clients, or players, he brings professionalism and empathy that stand out. He's proactive, takes initiative, and consistently produces quality work."
 
James Beeston '14, Beestera Soccer Training
 
"Siena students, as interns, seem to be a cut above the rest. First and foremost, they are great people and live up to our company mission of not only producing great players, but better people. They are a pleasure to be around, none more so than Ant. He was able to take the skills he had learned in his marketing classes and apply them to new trends appearing among high school and college players. This, combined with his interpersonal skills and strong work ethic, have made him a tremendous help in the office."
 
Matt Needham '16, Beestera Soccer Training
 
Beeston, Needham, and Mike Matera '14 were inducted onto Siena's Maddalone Wall of Success last fall. The wall, located in the Stack Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, celebrates Siena's exceptional alumni entrepreneurs.