From the Netherlands, Wes Bottenburg (B.S. ’25) came to The University of Tulsa to take his career in soccer to the collegiate level. It paid off. Now in his fourth year on the team, Bottenburg has earned several accolades, including being named on the Top-Drawer Soccer Team of the Week two times during the 2022 season, listed on the American Conference Top Rookie Team and named Defensive Player of the Year in the 2025 American Conference preseason all-conference.
Off the field, Bottenburg has continued his academics, pursuing a master’s degree in sports leadership. He saw the program had the curriculum, faculty and research he sought. His education has led him to intern at two soccer agencies, Supra Soccer Agency and Prime11. He is currently working as a soccer scout for FC Utrecht, his hometown’s professional club and where he played for more than 10 years.
“I studied management my first three years. Now, in my master’s program, I’m learning from the theories in my classes, turning those theories toward my everyday challenges. This has helped me as a leader on the team and with my coursework,” he said.
Bottenburg said his mentorship from Tom McIntosh, head coach of the men’s soccer team, and the other coaches has been integral to his athleticism and personal journey. He’s also close with his teammates, who like him, bring different perspectives from their countries of origin. Bottenburg emphasized that Graduate Program Director for Sports Leadership Greg Gardner has ensured students feel supported throughout their time at UTulsa.
“I’ve always felt included in all my classes and around campus. This helps with the university being small and so focused on its students. You can spend a lot of time with your professors or coaches individually and get the support you need,” Bottenburg explained.
In his internship at Supra Soccer Agency, Bottenburg scouted players in the United States by watching games on video and writing scouting reports for the agency. During his current internship at FC Utrecht, he focuses on video scouting, watching and analyzing games and individual players for the club’s scouting department.
“You have to build leadership skills in this industry. This is not the type of industry where you can just come into a leadership role,” he explained. “The internships I’ve done confirm I want to keep working up in soccer or sports.”
Addressing his identity as a student athlete, Bottenburg said he is more than just that. He says UTulsa has helped him develop this external identity, giving him the structure to pursue scouting and agency work. He also stressed that taking electives, a photography course in particular, helped him meet other people on campus and develop interests he would never have thought of.
On advice to athletes coming after him, he mentioned that they, too, need to find their external identities.
“Always be willing to try different things,” he said. “If you get injured or miss a season, you still want to enjoy your time all four years. And take advantage of the university’s resources; everyone is here to help you find what you want to accomplish.”