C.J. Cochran

Men's Soccer

‘Where Are They Now Wednesday’ – C.J. Cochran

Our student-athletes are what make Georgia State so special. Our 'Where Are They Now Wednesday' segments feature former student-athletes from across all of our sports and not only look back on their accomplishments, but where they are now.

When C.J. Cochran finished his career at Georgia State after helping the Panthers to an NCAA Tournament appearance, he also held the school records with a 1.33 career goals against average, 188 career saves, and a .746 save percentage. But that was only the start of his story which led him to the professional ranks and stints in a handful of states while also marrying his college sweetheart who was also a Georgia State student-athlete. Although he has only been gone for seven years, he has already accomplished a great deal and has more planned in the future.

Talk a little bit about what you have been up over the last seven years since finishing up at Georgia State (work, sports, family)
Upon graduating from Georgia State, where I studied finance, I moved on to the professional ranks of soccer and played across the United States with stints in Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and California. During that time, I also got married to a former GSU softball player Alana Thomas (now Cochran). Together we have a daughter, Charlotte who just turned one and we are expecting a second daughter this July! 

How did your experience at GSU help you get to where you are now including the success you have had playing professional soccer?
My professional career has mirrored by college career in a lot of ways. Early in my career at both levels I wasn't a starter. I had to prove I could not only play at the standard required but that I was one of the better players in my position. During my time at GSU I had to grow a lot of ways but the most important was the mental side of the game. I wasn't a mentally strong player when I entered college but by the time I graduated in 2015, I felt my game had improved dramatically thanks in part to the environment head coach Brett Surrency provided. 

You were on the 2011 team that played in the NCAA Tournament and had a very special season. What was that year like?
2011 was an incredible year for the program with our first NCAA at large bid, along with wins over ACC teams and ranked opponents which were the highlights for me. I played about eight games early in the year, but I wasn't the starter come NCAA Tournament time. The talent we had on that team was good, but the personality of that team was something special. A team and a season I won't soon forget!

Are there still teammates from that team or other teams you played on that you still stay in touch with?
Two of my best friends Caleb Kernan and Eric Lawrence who both played with me at Georgia State. We message each other almost daily and we've taken a few trips together over the years.  

Your name still liters the record book for both season and career records. Do you still take some pride in those numbers and your accomplishments at GSU?
To be honest, I've never really kept up with statistics at any level apart from wins and losses. A lot of those records from GSU were in large part of our team philosophy and defensive work rate. The only stat I would have loved to have earned is the leader in career wins leader! 

If there is one thing you could go back and tell the college version of yourself, what would it be?
If I could tell my college self one thing it would be to believe in yourself. It took me a few years to really gain confidence and trust myself. I look back now, and I wonder what kind of player would I have been if I had just a bit more self-belief and little less doubt. 
 
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