Eddie Hawkins is a former U.S. soccer midfielder. In 1984, he became the first native-born black player to appear with the caps with the U.S. national team.

High school and college

Hawkins grew up in mid-Hudson, New York where he attended Washingtonville High School. He was a three sport athlete at Washingtonville, starring on the school’s soccer, basketball and track teams. However, his talent lay with soccer and he was two-time All State and a Parade Magazine high school All American. His talent attracted the attention of pro scouts and when he graduated in 1980, the Washington Diplomats of the North American Soccer League (NASL) selected him in the second round of the draft.