Starters from last year that will be in training camp on May 2 include Nate Jafta (Lindsey Wilson College), Piotr Nowak (Oakland University), Jake Stacy (Michigan), Zac Scaffidi and Dave Hertel (Michigan State).  
 

Fourth year head coach Dan Fitzgerald thought he saw all five players take their last bow for the  Bucks in July and was overwhelmed at the announcement of the returning talent. 
 

“We expected several of these players to be playing in Major League Soccer (MLS) this summer, not back here” said Fitzgerald. “We have recruited well to replace these quality players so we will have a tremendous advantage at training camp. I love the thought of having this many veterans of the Bucks organization to help deliver our message to the newcomers. I hope my life will be much easier this summer with this senior leadership.” 
 

In addition to the five returning "almost graduates" are veteran striker and leading scorer the past two seasons Kenny Uzoigwe and attacking midfielder Mauro Fuzetti (Michigan). Fitzgerald and his staff have been recruiting heavily all winter long to replace the positions vacated by MLS draftees Mike Holody (defender, Colorado Rapids) and Doug DeMartin (striker, KC Wizards).

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Steve Clark continues to travel around trying to find a home this season in the pro ranks after having trials with professional clubs in Norway and with Real Salt Lake (MLS). Midfielder Ty Shipalane spent a month training with the Columbus Crew (MLS) before signing a deal with the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL 2) last week. Jafta spent a week with the Chicago Fire (MLS) earlier this year but headed back to school to finish up his last 18 credit hours this summer. Nowak, Hertel and Scaffidi all explored professional opportunities but are in similar situations and all have between 1-3 classes to take this summer to finalize their degree, so they too chose to turn down professional offers to return to the Bucks this summer. 
 

Bucks Chairman/CEO Dan Duggan is pleased to see the players all placing the proper value on the importance of their education.
 

“These guys all have close friends that played with us in past seasons or with them in college who went on to sign  deals in MLS, only to find that the opportunity was short lived and not what they expected. We put a ton of emphasis on the difference in the professional world of soccer outside of school and the importance of having the degree as a master plan. Nearly every one of the Buck’s star players over the past decade has had a significant academic scholarship, so they were fortunate enough to not have to pay (entirely) for their education. It just makes no sense to spend four years at something without completing the mission. We encourage all of our players to finish their education first and focus on their professional career second. Not everyone takes this advice, but I am happy that these young men have made this decision for their benefit, not ours,” concluded Duggan.

The Bucks open training camp with open tryouts on Saturday, May 2 and will play a couple of exhibition matches before selecting the final roster that will compete on opening night Saturday, May 16 when they welcome the Kalamazoo  Outrage to Ultimate Soccer Arenas (7:30 kick off).  The 2008 Premier Development League Regular Season Champion Bucks will be announcing further prominent signings for this year’s team in the upcoming weeks.
 

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