June 17, 2011

Dear Alums & Friends,

You would think that it would be pretty quiet here on campus this time of the year but things are buzzing as of late. There is a lot of work being done here in the Keaney/Tootell complex updating the fire alarm system. So, it is a little noisy in the office at times but we are making due. New Student Orientation has brought a lot of people on campus including some of our new guy’s particularly Michael Casey (Wakefield, RI/St. George’s School/Rams FC), Tom Spenser (Hastings on Hudson, NY/Hastings High School/FC Westchester USSF Academy) and Alan Hernandez (Pearland, TX/Pearland HS/Houston Dynamo USSF Academy) are and will be on campus. Although it seems we have some down time, recruiting is in full swing for the 2012 season.

On the alumni front I recently was in touch with former All-America goalkeeper Anthony Latronica ’98 who is working as a Technical Advisor for US Soccer. He’s been traveling around the country working with some of the best youth players in the U.S. He moved onto the USSF after his most recent stint as Associate Head Coach at the United States Air Force Academy. He said it was a nice change of pace from college coaching and he gets to interact with some of the top soccer minds in the country.

Houston Dynamo central midfielder Geoff Cameron ’08 is having another stellar year in MLS and just recently launched his own website at www.geoffcameronsoccer.com. Here you can follow Geoff through the season as well as view action photos and video. You can also catch him on Twitter (@GeoffCameron).

NEWS FLASH: THE MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER ALL-STAR BALLOT IS OUT, SO VOTE FOR GEOFF BY CLICKING HERE.

Speaking of professional soccer, our newest Ram in the pro ranks Michael Tanke ’11 has been logging big minutes for his Rochester Rhinos squad. He was out of action recently due to the injury but returned to action this past weekend in a match televised this past weekend on Fox Soccer Channel prior to the US National Team game versus Panama. Michael has been a consistent starter for the Rhinos and a few weeks back Michael had a nice on-line interview that can be seen by clicking here.

Recently got an email from URI supporter Mike O’Neil who filled me in on Mick McDermott ‘96 and his recent appointment as strength & conditioning coach for the Iranian National Team.

He is working alongside former Portuguese National Team and Manchester United Assistant Coach Carlos Queiroz who is at the helm. Formerly Mick had been the S & C for Al Ain Soccer Club in the United Arab Emirates after a stint at Oregon State. It is a tremendous opportunity for Mick and his wife, former URI volleyball player Karla Bragg McDermott ’98. We wish the both the best.

On the hometown front we’ve had a couple of weddings on tap with our athletic trainer Lauren Goley getting hitched this past weekend in a beachside ceremony here in South County. She’s off on her honeymoon trip to the Costa del Sol in Spain and then to Scotland where her husband Andy has relatives in Sterling. In a couple of weeks our own Frank Bergren’s daughter Emily will walk down the aisle. Emily is a URI grad and a former manager and soccer office worker. We wish both Lauren and Emily the best as we know their husbands are getting two of the best!

We’ll, that’s all from the soccer office. In the next couple of weeks we’ll be posting the 2011 schedule so keep your eyes out for it.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C