Bernie White
From NCAA Division III to the Scottish Lowland League
After graduating from Amherst College in Massachusetts, goalkeeper Bernie White took a leap of faith few American student-athletes ever have the opportunity or bravery to do: Moving 3,000 miles across the Atlantic to play for Caledonian Braves in Scotland’s Lowland League, the 5th tier of the Scottish Professional football pyramid system.
In this interview, Bernie shares how his years balancing academics and athletics prepared him for life overseas, what he’s learned from both sides of the soccer world, and why taking risks has shaped his journey.
“You don’t have to wait for the perfect opportunity, just take the leap.”
Bernie’s four years as a collegiate student-athlete at Amherst College were transformative.
Attending Amherst as a student-athlete was life-changing for me, he reflects. I was able to study at a top institution, compete in a great conference, and even play at the NCAA national level.
The experience taught him balance, discipline, and resilience - lessons that would soon prove invaluable when juggling a job and semi-professional football in Scotland.
As graduation neared, Bernie found himself exploring what the next step might look like - whether that be furthering his education or experiencing a new challenge overseas and continuing his development on the field.
A Master’s was definitely on my mind, Bernie admits. But when the chance came to play in the UK, the timing felt right and I realized I couldn’t pass up that opportunity.
The decision was rooted in his lifelong desire to play overseas, a dream that had quietly followed him since childhood. Playing with the Western Mass Pioneers in the USL2 the summer before his senior year gave him the confidence to believe it was possible to make that step up to the next level.
When the opportunity arose, Bernie decided to take the opportunity. Arriving alone in Scotland was both exciting and daunting.
It was a big move to a city and country I’d never visited, he admits. But it reminded me of Liverpool in England, where I was born, so it felt familiar in a way.
What struck him most was the warmth of the people.
They were welcoming and down-to-earth, with an attitude to life I really relate to. It is a completely different experience compared to living in the US, but I definitely have things that I love about both lifestyles.
Playing semi-professional football while working full-time isn’t for everyone, but for Bernie, it felt natural.
Being a student-athlete prepares you for that kind of balance, he says. At Amherst, juggling academics and athletics was demanding, but it definitely made the transition easier.
By the end of this season, Bernie will have played 100 games in the Scottish Professional Pyramid, marking a major milestone.
When I first arrived for the 2022–23 season, I saw it as a short-term opportunity, Bernie explains. But being asked to sign for the next year gave me the confidence to settle in, focus fully on football and progress in my playing career.
For players finishing college and wondering whether to chase opportunities abroad, Bernie’s advice is simple: take the leap.
You don’t have to wait for the perfect opportunity, as to be honest, that might never come, he says. Take a chance and trust yourself to make it work.
Bernie continues, You will never regret backing yourself to continue your playing career and combining that with the opportunity to travel and live in a different environment is something I couldn’t recommend enough.
Feeling inspired by Bernie’s journey?
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