Christopher Hille has had a passion for soccer for as long as he can remember, and that drive combined with his work ethic and athleticism has earned him a chance to play for one of the country's elite soccer programs.
Hille, who formerly attend St. James School in Savannah and played for Savannah United club, was identified by IMG Acadmy in Bradenton, Fla., billed as the world’s most prestigious sports, performance and educational institution.
IMG Academy has since grown to become a global phenomenon since being established in 1978 with a pioneering concept known as the Nick Bollettieri 
Tennis Academy. The 600-acre campus annually attract hundreds of teams, groups and events for training and competition.
Hille attended intensive soccer camp at IMG during the past two summers, and following the most recent camp an IMG coach let Hille and his family know they were interested in Hille attending and playing for IMG. The top level team at IMG plays MLS Next, a network of leagues in the U.S. and Canada introduced in 2020 that is tied to Major League Soccer.
"I was surprised they wanted me because there was a kid who played exactly like me who stayed all 8 weeks of [summer) camp," Hille said. "I was really excited, but I was also nervous to be on my own, manage stuff on my own. it’s also a new place where I didn’t know anyone and will have to meet new people, and I feel more pressure from the coaches’ expectations and everyone at home’s expectations"
One of Hille's fomer coaches at Savannah United wasn't surprised that IMG was interested in his former player.
"(Hille) is a great player and loves the sport," said Jeff Storey-Pitts, Select Director for Savannah United. "He’s the kind of kid who kind of helps coach 
younger kids but then he can also do one on one training with a team in group. He works as hard as possible, and the main differences is his passion and commitment. It’s what he wants to do, so I'm not surprised he's gotten this good."
Although Hille is still in the pre-season, attending IMG will be more similar to attending college than a traditional high school. He will go to practice at 8 am every day, attend three to four classes per day and also participate in nutruition, leadership and conditioning each day.
Like most accomplished athletes, Hille's drive is deeply personal. Growing up in Savannah where football, basketball and baseball are considered more mainstream, Hille felt like his devotion to soccer wasn't always respected in the same way a football player would have been celebrated.
"Friends trash talk a lot, saying you're not going pro in soccer and not believing in me," Hille said. "Everyone around me played football and baseball, but what I would say is you need a lot of creativity to be good at soccer. I like the fact that there's not a specific pattern or plays so you have freedom, and I like the flow and ryhthm of soccer. You have to think on the fly."
In addition to a more advanced training regimen, the caliber of athlete Hille will be alongside will be dramatically different at IMG as well. Unlike a local club team, every player at IMG is a highly motivated, confident athlete driven to succeed.
"Everyone has swagger, and every kid carries themself well and knows what they're talking about," Hille said.
According to Storey-Pitts, Hille was selected by IMG for his physicality and athleticism but also because he's coachable and has a passion to embrace learning more about the sport.
"(Soccer) has always been something I enjoy doing a lot and the thing I turn to when I get bored," Hille said. "Other kids have video games or games on their phones, but I would go outside and juggle a ball or shoot on the wall my parents made in our yard. As long as I see it as a game, it’s super fun and always something I can turn to if I get emotional or stressed."
