Former Pelham star Seth Torman to play for Birmingham Legion
Posted 11:07 am Tuesday, February 14, 2023
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Seth Torman, a former Pelham goalkeeper, recently signed a contract with Birmingham Legion FC to become the first former Panther to sign a professional contract. (contributed)
By LIZZIE BOWEN | staff writer
PELHAM – Seth Torman, a former Pelham goalkeeper, is now on to bigger things as he will become goalkeeper for Birmingham Legion FC in Birmingham.
Torman is Pelham High School’s first professional soccer player and was a two-time All-State goalie for the Panthers from 2016-2017.
His former coach Patrick McDonald said that his success was something that McDonald could have predicted due to his talents as an athlete.
“(He is) one of the most impressive athletes I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach,” McDonald said. “He just understood his role and responsibilities and how to implement it to the best of his ability.”
McDonald said Torman trained with the Legion last year and always had the qualities and talent that would allow an athlete to succeed in a professional career.
“I always envisioned him not only playing at the highest level, but also having the opportunity to sign a professional contract,” McDonald said. “The beauty of this is that Seth is not a stranger. He has returned. Last year he came to the third round match when we played Helena. There was a good contingent of his teammates that came to that game and reminisced about his time as the Panthers.”
McDonald said Torman’s visits to his old high school help bring the Panther community even closer.
“Being the first student-athletes to sign an agreement for their community is a big deal,” McDonald said. “Especially playing for the home team where you can go watch him play at the Protector Stadium, it’s really cool.”
McDonald said he had the privilege of watching Torman play and said he hopes the Panthers will come out and support Torman in his future games.
“I hope there’s a strong Pelham contingent at some of his games cheering him on,” McDonald said. “Having a local player on the roster is a good success story for the legion and for that particular player. So, it’s great that he’s a Pelham Panther.”
Torman said he was excited to learn he would be playing for his hometown pro team and the reception was great from his friends and family upon hearing the news.
“I was very excited to find out that I was playing for my hometown pro team,” Torman said. “I already knew some of the guys on the team, so I was really excited to learn from them. They were all very proud and excited for me. I heard from my family and all my friends and they were very supportive and congratulated me.”
For Torman, he has always had the drive to be a professional athlete and has worked hard to be in the position he is in today, but he relates much of his success to his parents and their diligence in always encouraging him to continue.
“I also had the work ethic, but my parents always kept me going when I got lazy or distracted,” Torman said. “If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Torman said his time as a Pelham Panther helped prepare him for the role he holds today.
“Going to Pelham, I chose to play my junior and senior year with great coaches and teammates,” Torman said. “They taught me what it takes to play at the next level. They prepared me to play First Division soccer and I was lucky to receive an offer from the UAB that I attended”.
Torman said that in the future he hopes to be a regular starter for his team and also play in MLS one day.
“I would really like to thank all the people around me who helped me get to where I am today,” Torman said. “My family, friends and teammates throughout my life have helped me get here, and I am extremely grateful to have them around me.”