Greetings from Kingston! We're in the middle of the last week of training and classes before spring break and the guy's are looking forward to re-charging their batteries before the non-traditional season begins. The team has been working hard in the weight room as well as on fitness training with our soccer intern Steve Mellen '08. Steve has been keeping them busy with agility and cardiovascular work as well as some other projects around the office. The technical sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 6:30 am - 7:30 am have been lively too but I think some of them won't miss being up at 6:30 am...
The past couple of months have been busy with a lot or action on the home front here and away from campus. It all began with Lance Klima '89 being inducted into the URI Athletic Hall of Fame at a wonderful ceremony at the Quidenessett Country Club in North Kingston. It was a great night for Lance, his family and our program. We are working on getting at least one URI soccer player inducted each time a class is installed (every 2 years) so make sure you nominate all too. The stronger the push the better for us all and we know there are a lot of guy's out there who are well deserving!
The Sunday of the Hall of Fame "Ice Breaker" weekend was our annual end of the season team banquet held at the Institute for International Sport (formally the International Student-Athlete Hall of Fame) here in Kingston. It was a nice afternoon with lunch and teams awards ceremony. Freshmen Erkko Puranen (Viitisaari, Finland) was the big winner on the day taking home the Len Mecurio Offensive Player of the Year and the Geza Henni MVP Award. The Kevin Murphy Defensive Player of the Year went to sophomore central defender Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica) while the Ram Academic Achievement Award to classmate Matt Pryess (Chagrin Falls, OH). We were more than pleased for James Quiah (Providence, RI) to be voted as the Bob Davidson Sportsmanship Award recipient and surprised Terry Casey '85 with the Ed Bradley Alumni Service Award for all he has done in support of URI men's soccer and our fund-raiser Rams Football Club. The afternoon ended with a tremendously entertaining highlight video created by Assistant Coach Rob Czlonka. We are working to get it up on the website for you to all view but if you want to purchase a copy for $10 just let us know.
Concerning the future we happy to announce we have completed our recruiting for 2009! We are excited about the incoming class as they bring us a vast amount of experience as well as a tremendous base for the years to come. In addition to Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL), Robby Gargaro (Naperville, IL) and Jamie Eckmayer (Harrington Park, IL) who signed back in February, we also recently got commitments from Nick Joshi (Perth, Western Australia) and Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) to complete the class. Our international contingent gives us the possibility of an all-Finnish striking tandem as Thomas will pair up with Erkko at times as well as a versatile left footed player in Nick who has seen time at the back, in the midfield and up top. I know they are excited to get to campus this August and we are too.
On the alumni front, former Ram central defender Adam Howarth '08 was back in the U.S. and on campus (visiting his girlfriend) and training in preparation for beginning his professional career AC Kajanni in Finland. The big man signed recently, looks good and I think he is ready to go. We'll be anxious to watch his progress. As most of you read in an earlier e-mail, former URI Gaffer Ed Bradley was inducted into the Soccer Rhode Island Hall of Fame the weekend of February 28th. An honor which was long overdue. His son Dr. Michael Bradley is off to Afganistan as part of his service in the United States Navy. We wish him safe travels and a swift return. Finally I heard from BJ Kochis '07 via e-mail who just got back from working Costa Rica working with his engineering company. He will now be moving to Baltimore and promises will be coming to the alumni game this spring.
Speaking of the Alumni Game, save the date of SATURDAY APRIL 25th, 11:00 am at the URI Soccer Complex. It will be the final contest of our non-traditional season and be followed by a BBQ for all alumni, families and friends of the program. We'll send you more information in the next month but if you know you are going to be there please RSVP to me with the number who will attend as well as t-shirt sizes (wives, kids and significant others are welcome). The rest of the spring schedule is as follows:
March 28
at Northeastern University - Boston, MA
April 4
at University of Massachusetts - Amherst, MA
April 8
at Bryant College - Smithfield, RI
April 15
at Holy Cross - Worcester, MA
April 18
at Maine Invite (Maine & Southern New Hampshire) - Cape Elizabeth, ME
April 25
Alumni Game (&BBQ) - Kingston, RI
If you are in the area we would love to see you at a game. If not then make your plans to join us at the ALUMNI GAME & BBQ whether you play or not. It is a fun event and a great time to get together and see old friends.
Before I sign off I want to publicly acknowledge Don & Nancy Hutson, Jesse Simmons '00, Ron Miner '74, Dan Pinto '78 and Tom Soule '63, for their recent donations to the program. I especially want to thank my long time high school friend Jim Brooks of Greenwich, CT for his generosity. Jim is a avid soccer fan who was a standout player at Connecticut College in New London, CT. He and his company Brand Partners (www.brandpartners.com) donated a color laser printer, DLS projector and 42" flat screen television which will be used for video review and for the players enjoyment in their lounge area of the men's soccer office suite. Jim has no attachment to the program except for through our over 25 year friendship for him to think of me and the program is special. He's a class guy and we're hoping that his daughter Kirsty, a high school senior, will select Kingston as her college town as she was recently accepted to URI.
That's about all there is to report for now. Drop us a line with any other news.
GO RAMS!
Coach O'C