Michigan Bucks

Bucks Grab College Honors On and Off the Field

Five former Bucks players participate in MLS Combine prior to MLS SuperDraft

Pontiac, MI (January 14, 2008) -- The Michigan Bucks college soccer stars took several post season honors for their outstanding performances on the field this past fall, but the top award came for academic excellence in the classroom. Forward George Josten (Gonzaga; right) was named the NSCAA/adidas Men’s Scholar Athlete of the Year and leads the Scholar All American team, which consists of a group of 47 athletes. Josten played a supporting role with the Bucks this season, coming off the bench behind All-PDL striker Kenny Uzoigwe. Josten maintains a 3.83 GPA in mechanical engineering and will be awarded the prestigious honor as part of the All American luncheon at the 2008 NSCAA Convention in Baltimore, MD this Saturday. Also earning a spot on the All American Academic Starting Eleven is Bucks third year forward Doug DeMartin (Michigan State), who finished with a 3.91 GPA in finance. DeMartin looks to lead the Bucks offense this spring as he prepares for his senior season with the Spartans in 2008.

On the field, the Bucks took several major college awards from different conferences all over the country. In addition to Josten’s All American selection, Ohio State’s forward Xavier Balc was selected to the Soccer America MVP’s First Team, while team mate and outstanding defender Eric Brunner was named to the Second Team. Balc was also selected as Big Ten Player of the Year. Both players were selected 2007 NSCAA/adidas First Team All Americans, and will be honored at the same luncheon in Baltimore with Bucks team mates Josten and DeMartin. Bucks leading scorer Kheli Dube (Coastal Carolina) was named Big South Player of the Year and was the conference Player of the Week on four different occasions this fall. Other notable Bucks college accolades:

2007 NSCAA/adidas Division 1 Men’s All Region Teams:
All Great Lakes Region

Eric Brunner, Ohio State First Team (First Team All American)
Xavier Balc, Ohio State First Team (First Team All American)
Doug DeMartin, Michigan State Second Team
Michael Holody, University of Michigan, Third Team
Rauwshan McKenzie, Michigan State, Third Team (Bucks 2004-06)

All Midwest Region

Joe Donoho, Bradley First Team (Third Team All American)
Dominic Cervi, Tulsa Second Team (Bucks 2006)
Steve Clark, Oakland Third Team
Ian Daniel, Oakland Third Team
Piotr Nowak, Oakland Third Team

All Far West Region

George Josten, Gonzaga First Team (Third Team All American)

FIVE BUCKS SELECTED TO JOIN MLS COMBINE THIS PAST WEEKEND

Major League Soccer (MLS), in preparation for this Friday’s upcoming SuperDraft held their annual combine to show off the talents of this year’s college seniors and underclassmen that have entered the selection process. The five Michigan Bucks invited to this year’s combine were forwards Xavier Balc (Ohio State), forward George Josten (Gonzaga), defender Eric Brunner (Ohio State), defender Rauwshan McKenzie (Michigan State) and goal keeper Dominic Cervi (Tulsa). Balc, Josten and Brunner were part of the high scoring Bucks 2007 team that went to the championship match before failing to defend their title in a loss in penalty kicks at Laredo. McKenzie and Cervi were both members of previous Bucks teams between 2004-2006. All MLS coaches and GM’s closely monitored over 60 selected invitees all weekend long and will conclude Tuesday in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. That will leave each of the fourteen teams a couple of days to make their final decisions prior to Friday’s MLS SuperDraft to be held at 2:00 at the Baltimore Convention Center (ESPN 2) as part of the annual National Soccer Coaches (NSCAA) convention. The four round selection process will be followed up with an additional supplemental draft prior to all MLS clubs opening spring training camp in the upcoming weeks. The Bucks have had 19 players drafted by MLS since 1999, and have had at least three players selected in each of the past five years. The Bucks expect that streak to continue this year and for the foreseeable future, as the 2008 roster for the Bucks may be the most talented in the team’s thirteen year history.

For further information, please visit the Bucks web site at buckssoccer.com.