Page 14,
Athlete's dream realized
Pro bound: Chris Ackerman, a Behrend student, will have a shot at a pro
soccer career when he tries out in England next fall.
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Sports
Dan Jaecks/Collegian Photographer
Flawless
Amel Balcita/Cd/egian Photo Coordinator
Schwing: Right fielder Jennifer Young tries to take one deep in a recent game.
Right now, the Lions, 17-3, stolen base attempts.
must get in all their games.
• • • •
5-2. Five different Lions each They've already split with
is
had an RBI as Varrassa picked nationally ranked Buffalo State Strait a perfect 61 for 61 in
up the mound victory. and Allegheny, and have a the field. The error she
"Offensively, we've had different strong, well-respected Bethany committed against W& J was
people step up at different team coming up on April 26. changed to a filder's choice when she threw a runner out at home.
times," said Benim. If the Lions get in all their
Strait hasn't made an error in
"We have to play one game at games and keep playing the her collegiate career.
a time to position ourselves for same way, a NCAA tournament
• •
a post-season tourney (ECAC or bid ' ibil: •
from FLAWLESS page 16
NCAA)," he added. Mazur and Pegher are the only
For NCAA, only 20 teams Lions' Notes: Lions to have been in the line
are taken' from the , nation.up for all 20 games.
The Lions are 50 for 55 in
by Joe Mottillo
Collegian Staff
Many players dream of
making it to the pros, but
usually it remains only a dream.
Behrend has one in our midst
who has turned dreams into
reality.
He is Chris Ackerman, his
sport is soccer, and the pro
league that he'll be playing in is
the English Premier League.
"A few weeks ago, my coach
got a call from a representative
of the EPL, and he contacted
me," said Ackerman concerning
his shot at the pros.
"I'm going to have to bulk up
though. Over there, everybody
is big, so I can't rely just on my
speed."
Ackerman started his formal
soccer career at Fishburn
Military Academy in Virginia.
While there he also played on
several club and international
teams, two of which were the
East-West Soccer Ambassadors
and the Virginia National team
The East-West Soccer
Ambassadors is "like an
exchange program," according to
Ackerman. Players from the
U.S. go to Europe and play on
teams them and vice versa.
is a strong possi
Thursday, April 22, 1993
After graduation from
Fishburn in 1989, he went to
California University of
Pennsylvania to continue his
soccer career.
Since then, his career has
been on hold because he broke
his leg in January.
"My play is at 40% right now
and I know there is room for
improvement," said Ackerman
about his recovery from his
injury.
"When I go over there, I'll try
out to see what level in the City
of Wimbledon system I'll end
up in," said Ackerman.
City of Wimbledon is the top
team in the system. If he doesn't
make that team he'll probably
get sent to either of the farm
teams at Milland or Edinburgh.
"It's more intense and taken
more seriously. It's to England
what baseball is to America,"
said Ackerman over the
difference between the European
and American styles.
"Chris is a good player and
plays hard with a lot of heart,"
said John Ciotti, one of
Ackerman's summer coaches.
Ackerman leaves for tryouts
in the fall. Until then he'll just
have to sit back and wait out his
dreams.
ball
E:M:3