Completed Event: Men's Soccer at #14 Akron on November 30, 2025 , Loss , 0, to, 2
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Final
Men's Soccer
0
at #14 Akron
2
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Fjørtoft, McKenna Talk the Duke Difference with Kerr
5/21/2020 10:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
DURHAM, N.C.—Former Blue Devil captains and current members of Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premiership Markus Fjørtoft and Ciaran McKenna started their own podcast six months ago called the BroPod podcast. In the most recent episode, the 11th overall, the duo caught up with Duke head coach John Kerr to talk soccer, the opportunities for international players to come to the U.S., and more.
"In BroPod, they seek out those "crazy" enough to do things a little bit differently," according to the description written for the podcast. "With a diverse and compelling set of stories, they have a conversation with those that defy convention from the worlds of sports, media, finance, and politics." They can be found on Twitter on @BroPod1 on Twitter.
In this episode, they catch up with Kerr on his life in the U.S. during this time and then they move on to "properly" break down his playing career after he graduated from Duke in May 1987. Kerr speaks on transitioning to playing overseas and does speak about how the transition, its challenges, but credits that to the growth he made as a person and a player.
"That's why I can relate to you [Markus and Ciaran]," Kerr said. "I knew you had some issues adapting to the American game, which you found very fast and athletic and maybe better level than you guys anticipated. But I was so proud of how you opened up to the opportunity Duke gave you and the college game. You guys grew as men number one, but you grew as footballers and athletes and I'm so amazed at how you started off to how and where you ended. I'm very proud of you both with what you've done. It's very impressive."
Fjørtoft and McKenna are prime examples of the opportunities that exist at Duke for players to grow, as both individuals and athletes, during and after their careers. Kerr also credits his father, John Kerr Sr., on teaching him so many intricacies about coaching, not only tactics and the nuances of the game, but also the importance of mentoring each player individually on and off the field.
"I sincerely believe you can develop in parallel your football and also with your academics and your long term goals," Kerr said. "I think that's what separates us at Duke, where the bigger picture has to be acknowledged and you have to look beyond maybe the 10-12 year pro career you will embark upon after school. I may be proof in the pudding in that I graduated from Duke in four years and still played 12 years as a pro and enjoyed every minute of it. I prepared myself for the long term. Just like you guys are doing."
"[We are proof] that it can be done," Fjortoft said. "I think formerly there was a conviction that it couldn't be done, that by going to college, especially if you came from abroad, you kind of abandoned a future soccer career. Thankfully, I know plenty of examples in which people have pursued an education and scholarship at a university and come out and have been able to play. You're able fortunately to have the best of both worlds. For me at least, coming to Duke, I was given a safe space to develop for four years. For me that was ideal."
For the full episode and a chance to listen to previous podcasts you can find it on Apple podcasts or any app you use to stream your podcasts.
Episode 11: John Kerr: The Duke Difference
"In BroPod, they seek out those "crazy" enough to do things a little bit differently," according to the description written for the podcast. "With a diverse and compelling set of stories, they have a conversation with those that defy convention from the worlds of sports, media, finance, and politics." They can be found on Twitter on @BroPod1 on Twitter.
In this episode, they catch up with Kerr on his life in the U.S. during this time and then they move on to "properly" break down his playing career after he graduated from Duke in May 1987. Kerr speaks on transitioning to playing overseas and does speak about how the transition, its challenges, but credits that to the growth he made as a person and a player.
"That's why I can relate to you [Markus and Ciaran]," Kerr said. "I knew you had some issues adapting to the American game, which you found very fast and athletic and maybe better level than you guys anticipated. But I was so proud of how you opened up to the opportunity Duke gave you and the college game. You guys grew as men number one, but you grew as footballers and athletes and I'm so amazed at how you started off to how and where you ended. I'm very proud of you both with what you've done. It's very impressive."
Fjørtoft and McKenna are prime examples of the opportunities that exist at Duke for players to grow, as both individuals and athletes, during and after their careers. Kerr also credits his father, John Kerr Sr., on teaching him so many intricacies about coaching, not only tactics and the nuances of the game, but also the importance of mentoring each player individually on and off the field.
"I sincerely believe you can develop in parallel your football and also with your academics and your long term goals," Kerr said. "I think that's what separates us at Duke, where the bigger picture has to be acknowledged and you have to look beyond maybe the 10-12 year pro career you will embark upon after school. I may be proof in the pudding in that I graduated from Duke in four years and still played 12 years as a pro and enjoyed every minute of it. I prepared myself for the long term. Just like you guys are doing."
"[We are proof] that it can be done," Fjortoft said. "I think formerly there was a conviction that it couldn't be done, that by going to college, especially if you came from abroad, you kind of abandoned a future soccer career. Thankfully, I know plenty of examples in which people have pursued an education and scholarship at a university and come out and have been able to play. You're able fortunately to have the best of both worlds. For me at least, coming to Duke, I was given a safe space to develop for four years. For me that was ideal."
For the full episode and a chance to listen to previous podcasts you can find it on Apple podcasts or any app you use to stream your podcasts.
Episode 11: John Kerr: The Duke Difference
#GoDukeCatch up on the latest episode with my former Head Coach @DukeMSOC John Kerr??
— Markus Fjørtoft (@MarkusFjortoft) May 19, 2020
We talked about the college soccer system and it's talent development role, a program's purpose in developing student-athletes, the Duke difference...
Valuable insight! https://t.co/brSbZDB3Xx
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