saint louis university 2002 soccer schedule - · pdf filemilestone for saint louis...

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THE UNIVERSITYSaint Louis University ......................4City of St. Louis ..............................6NCAA Booster Guidelines ............15Administration ..............................40The Billiken ..................................46Staff Directory ..............................96

SAINT LOUIS SOCCERRobert R. Hermann Stadium ............2Academic Excellence ......................7MLS Connection............................10World Cup Connection..................11Community Service........................12Player of the Year..........................13Sports Medicine............................14Coach Profiles ..............................16Soccer Support Staf f......................192002 Season Preview....................20Roster ..........................................23Player Profiles ..............................24Conference USA ..........................52The Billiken Club ..........................67Team Awards................................72Media ..........................................95Travel Plans ..................................96

2001 REVISITED2001 Season Review ....................432001 Statistical Review..................462001 Box Scores ..........................48

HISTORYDistinguished Alumni ......................8NCAA Championship Years ..........55Bronze Boot..................................68Individual and Team Records ........69Hermann Stadium Records ............70Annual Scoring Leaders ................73Honor Roll....................................74All-Time Results ............................76Soccer Alumni ..............................82Pat Leahy Scholarship....................85

THE OPPONENTSOpponent Profiles ........................86C-USA Composite Schedule ..........92Series Records ..............................93

CREDITSThe 2002 Saint Louis University soccer mediaguide is a production of the Billiken MediaRelations office. Any material can be reproducedwith the permission of the publisher. For furtherinformation, call the Media Relations office at(314) 977-3462 or write: DuBourg Hall, Rm. 38,221 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103.

Editor: Doug McIlhaggaContributors: Betsy Primo, Chuck Yahng, DianaKoval, Alison Augustine, Laura Geiser, ChristySharamitaro, Brian KundermanInterior Design: Doug McIlhaggaCover Design: John Vieth Presswork: Stolze Printing Co.Photography: Bill Barrett, Dan Donovan, DaveP reston, Joe Angeles, courtesy U.S. Soccer,c o u rtesy Joe Giblin/Columbus Cre w / M L S ,courtesy NY/NJ MetroStars.

SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY2002 SOCCER SCHEDULE

(All Times are Central)

DATE DAY OPPONENT SITE TIME

North Carolina Nike ClassicAug. 30 Fri. Wake Forest Chapel Hill, N.C. 4 PMSept. 1 Sun. at North Carolina Chapel Hill, N.C. 2:30 PM

Sept. 7 Sat. at Marquette* Milwaukee, Wis. 7 PM

Saint Louis Nike ClassicSept. 13 Fri. UC-Santa Barbara vs. JMU St. Louis, Mo. 4:30 PM

SMS St. Louis, Mo. 7 PMSept. 15 Sun. UC-Santa Barbara vs. SMS St. Louis, Mo. Noon

JAMES MADISON St. Louis, Mo. 2:30 PM

Sept. 21 Sat. UAB* St. Louis, Mo. 7 PMSept. 25 Wed. CHARLOTTE* St. Louis, Mo. 7 PMSept. 28 Sat. at Louisville* Louisville, Ky. 6:30 PMOct. 2 Wed. EASTERN ILLINOIS St. Louis, Mo. 7 PMOct. 5 Sat. FURMAN St. Louis, Mo. 7 PMOct. 9 Wed. AIR FORCE St. Louis, Mo. 7 PMOct. 12 Sat. CINCINNATI* St. Louis, Mo. 7 PMOct. 19 Sat. at South Florida* Tampa, Fla. 6 PMOct. 23 Wed. at TCU* Fort Worth, Texas 3 PMOct. 30 Wed. DePAUL* St. Louis, Mo. 7 PMNov. 2 Sat. at Memphis* Memphis, Tenn. 7 PMNov. 9 Sat. EAST CAROLINA* St. Louis, Mo. 7 PM

Conference USA Postseason TournamentNov. 14 Thu. C-USA Quarterfinals St. Louis, Mo. TBANov. 15 Fri. C-USA Semifinals St. Louis, Mo. TBANov. 17 Sun. C-USA Championship St. Louis, Mo. TBA

HOME GAMESplayed at Robert R. Hermann Stadium on campus*Conference USA MatchesFor ticket information, call The Billiken Ticket Office (314) 977-4SLU or on-linevia the official Saint Louis University web site: www.slubillikens.com

On the Cover (clockwise from upperleft): Joe Hammes, Alberto Platas,Jason Cole, Travis Kamm, MikeKirchhoff, Loren Reinhardt, JackJewsbury, Nick Walls.

S A I N T L O U I S U N I V E R S I T Y2

R O B E R T R H E R M A N N S T A D I U M

The 1999 season marked a significantmilestone for Saint Louis University’ssoccer program. Both men’s and

w o m e n ’s teams re t u rned to the newlyrenovated Robert R. Hermann Stadium andwon Conference USA championships. Theteams enjoy the benefits of a true home fieldadvantage.

The Billikens christened Herm a n nStadium by knocking off defending nationalchampion and preseason No. 1 Indiana 3-2on Aug. 21, 1999, before a record on-campus crowd of 6,517.

The project began on March 17, 1999,with the removal of the synthetic surface, andthe sod was laid on May 25. The surface isa mixture of bluegrasses that covers an areaof 155,000 square feet. The Billikens play ona regulation 120 by 75-yard soccer pitch.

The surface sits upon an 8,400-ton rootzone composed of 90 percent sand and 10p e rcent peat moss. A four-inch graveldrainage blanket is composed of 3,100 tonsof pea gravel. The drainage system iscapable of filtering 10 inches of rain in anhour. The grass is watered with a sprinklersystem that features 70 sprinkler headsconnected by approximately 1.5 miles ofpiping.

The addition of permanent seating onthe east side of the stadium, along with themain grandstand expansion, increased thefacility’s seating capacity to 6,050 from2,400.

Munie Outdoor Services of Caseyville,Ill., was the contractor for the project underthe direction of the University’s grounds andmaterials management office.

The field is located one block east ofGrand Boulevard on Laclede Avenue, justbehind Busch Memorial Center on theUniversity campus. Visitors to campus canpark in the 2,000-car Olive Parking Garageadjacent to the soccer facility.

Originally opened for play in 1990 asThe Billiken Sports Center, the facility washome to the men’s soccer team until 1994. Italso served as a site for NCAA Division Iand II playoff games and as a home field forother local collegiate soccer programs whentheir fields were unplayable due to severeweather conditions. The Billikens are adominating 69-9-5 (.861) and 5-1-1 inNCAA Tournament play at the on-campussite.

After the soccer team moved its homegames to the Anheuser-Busch Center in1995, the field was used for Billiken fieldhockey games as well as campusintramurals. Adjacent to Hermann Stadiumis The Billiken Sports Center’s baseball andsoftball diamonds and tennis complex.

• Media Services •

A full-service, enclosed press box isavailable to the media. Telephone lines forvisiting radio broadcast teams are available.Press parking is available in the Universitygarage located at Olive and Compton.Media are advised to arrive at least one-halfhour before kickoff.

Media guides, game notes and gamestats are available at each home match.Postgame stats and play-by-play aredistributed following each match.

For more information, call the BillikenMedia Relations office at (314) 977-3462.

Hermann StadiumLindell & Grand

St. Louis, MO 63103(314) 977-2011, 2873

Site: 155,000 Square Feet

Capacity: 6,050

Surface: Natural grass

Field Dimensions: 120 x 75 yards

W–L–T: 81-9-5 (.879)

Record Win Streak: 20 (1992-94)

Record Unbeaten Streak: Same

Last Loss: Charlotte 2-0 (10/21/00)

Attendance RecordsHermann Stadium

1) Indiana, 8/21/99 6,517

2) Indiana, 9/18/94 4,934

3) SMS, 9/23/00 4,537

4) Memphis, 10/6/01 4,481

5) UAB, 9/30/00 4,174

Anheuser-Busch Center

1) Virginia, 8/24/95 4,332

2) Notre Dame, 8/26/95 4,107

3) SIUE, 9/29/89 3,621

4) UCLA, 8/24/96 3,434

5) Creighton, 8/29/97 3,241

Busch Stadium

1) SIUE, 10/30/80 22,512

2) SIUE, 11/16/73 20,112

3) SIUE, 11/5/72 15,000

Laclede

Forest Park Blvd.

N

E

S

W

Lindell Olive

Parking GarageHermannStadium

Church

DuBourg Hall

I-64 / Hwy. 40

The BillikenSports Center

The U.S. Under-17 National Team qualifiedfor the World Championship at Hermann

Stadium in April 2001.


R O B E R T R H E R M A N N S T A D I U M

HERMANN STADIUM FACTS & FIGURES

Win-Loss Record at Hermann Stadium: 81-9-5NCAA Tournament Won-Loss Record at Hermann: 7-1-1First Goal Scored at Renovated Hermann: Jason Vijil, SLU

– vs. Westminster (9/1/99)First season played at Billiken Sports Center: 1990,

inaugural game: 1-0 win vs. Marquette (9/21/90)Last season played at Billiken Sports Center: 1994, last

game played: 2-0 loss to Evansville (11/5/94)BSC Attendance Record: 4,934 vs. Indiana (9/18/94)First Goal Scored at BSC: Mike Sorber, SLU

– vs. Marquette (9/21/90)Last Goal Scored at BSC: Ian Eggleston, Evansville

– vs. Saint Louis (11/5/94)Last SLU Goal Scored at BSC: Shannon McPartland, SLU

– vs. Illinois State (11/2/94)

HERMANN STADIUM CONSTRUCTION SPECS

Original Total Cost: $5.1 millionOriginal Design: Hastings & Chivetta Architects, St. LouisOriginal Construction: Sverdrup Corp., St. LouisRenovation: Munie Outdoor Services, Caseyville, Ill.Seating Capacity: 6,050Surface: Mixture of bluegrassesSurface Area: 155,000 square feetSoccer Field: 120 by 75 yardsRoot Zone: 10 inches deep comprised of 8,400 tons of

sand (90 percent) and peat moss (10 percent)Gravel Drainage Blanket: 4" deep comprised of 3,100

tons of pea gravelIrrigation: 70 sprinkler heads, 23 valves, approximately

1.5 miles of pipingGrade: No crown, with a variance of one-half inchProject Start: March 17, 1999Sod Laid: May 25, 1999

Enthusiastic student crowds welcome the Billikens’matches oncampus at Hermann Stadium.

BILLIKENS ARE NATION’SATTENDANCE LEADER

Saint Louis University men’s soccer program strengthened itsposition as one of the nation’s top collegiate soccer attractions asthe Billikens led all NCAA Division I programs in averageattendance during the 2001 season. The Billikens averaged 2,870fans for 13 home dates at Robert R. Hermann Stadium on theUniversity campus and have led the nation in average attendancetwo of the last three seasons.

The Billikens also led in total attendance with 37,306 fans.The Billikens were among the nation’s top 10 in averageattendance throughout the 1990s, but this is only the second timethat they have led the country. The Billikens also led the nationduring the first year at the newly renovated Hermann Stadium byaveraging 2,784 fans per game during the 1999 season.

“We believe that our team is entertaining, and HermannStadium is an enjoyable environment for our fans,” said headcoach Dan Donigan. “Plus, there’s a direct correlation between oursuccess on the field and the tremendous fan support that weenjoy.”

NCAA Men’s Average AttendanceSchool Total Avg.

1) Saint Louis 37,306 2,870

2) Fresno State 17,395 2,485

4) Indiana 25,630 2,330

5) Virginia 25,563 2,130

6) SMU 17,020 2,128

7) Connecticut 29,105 2,079

8) Clemson 26,319 1,755

9) Washington 14,134 1,413

10) Stanford 16,015 1,335

Brad Davis prepares for a corner-kick in front of over 4,000 fans atRobert R. Hermann Stadium.


D I S T I N G U I S H E D A L U M N I

Many Billiken soccer alumni have distinguished themselvesin the professional world following their graduation fromthe University. The following are just a few of the

impressive careers fashioned by former Billikens:

Steve Bee (’91) – Graduated with a finance degree and is aCompliance attorney for A.G. Edwards.

Gene Block (’59) – Retired Vice President/Legislative Servicesfor Calmat Division of Vulcan Industries in San Francisco.

Don Brennan (’66) – Dean of SLU Graduate School.

Joe Clarke (’76) – After earning his law degree while playingprofessionally, he coached the Bills for 14 years and is nowhead coach at Washington (Mo.) U.

Dan Counce (’74) – Is General Manager of the MLS ColoradoRapids. His career includes stints as GM with the BaltimoreBlast and St. Louis Storm.

Daryl Doran (1981) – Head Coach and General Manager ofthe St. Louis Steamers Indoor Soccer Team.

John Eilerman (’73) – Executive Vice President for C & RMechanical Co.

Dan Flynn (’78) – Secretary General of the U.S. SoccerFederation.

Steve Frank (’69) – Executive Vice President of Plancorp Inc.

Jack Galmiche (’69) – Owns Broadcast Interactive Group inOregon.

Sal Grasso (’65) – Special agent for Social SecurityAdministration.

Bruce Hudson (’75) – Director of International SportsMarketing for Anheuser-Busch Cos.

Jim Kavanaugh (’86) – President and CEO of telcobuy.com.

Johnny Johnson (’89) – Executive Assistant/Vice PresidentMarketing at Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc.

Ty Keough (’79) – Former Washington (Mo.) University headsoccer coach is a soccer analyst for ESPN and ABC-TV.

Joe Koenig (’86) – President and COO of World WideTechnologies.

Steve Kuntz (’92) – Graduated with a degree in finance. He isan inside sales rep for World Wide Technologies.

Pat Leahy (’73) – Set scoring records for the NFL New YorkJets and is an independent businessman in St. Louis.

Brian McBride (’94) – Graduated with a degree in education.He is playing with the MLS Columbus Crew and for the U.S. NationalTeam. Bill Vieth Sr.

Jim Kavanaugh


D I S T I N G U I S H E D A L U M N I

Pat McBride (’66) – Head coach at St. Louis CommunityCollege at Forest Park.

Bill McDermott (’70) – Owns his own award-winninggraphics design firm and is a soccer analyst for ESPN andABC-TV.

Matt McKeon (’95) – Graduated with a degree in criminaljustice and is playing with the defending MLS championKansas City Wizards. He has made U.S. National Teamappearances and played on the U.S. Olympic Team in ’96.

Dan Merlo (’92) – Graduated with a degree in politicalscience. He is a Sales and Leasing Associate in commercialreal estate for the Sansone Group.

Ed Neusel (’70) – Pediatric dentist.

Mike Pelizzaro (’88) – Commerce Bank branch manager.

Tom Pelizzaro (’75) – President of Adventure Associates.

Steve Rick (’66) – Commerce Bank President.

Jim Sanders (’78) – Counsel for Lewis, Rice and Fingerish.

Mark Santel (’91) – Graduated with a degree in business andretired from the MLS Kansas City Wizards this year.

Mike Shanahan Sr. (’60) – Chairman and CEO ofEngineered Support Systems and former Chairman of theUniversity board of trustees.

Dave Sirinek (’64) – Director of Court Services for ClayCounty Family Court.

Mike Sorber (’93) – Graduated with a degree in businessand retired from the MLS Chicago Fire to join the Billikens asan assistant coach. He played for the U.S. National Team inthe ’94 World Cup and played internationally in Mexico.

Tom Torretti (’73) – Peavey Barge Lines.

Dr. Steve Vierling (’67) – President of Premier OrthopedicsInc.

Bill Vieth Sr. (’63) – Chairman of the Board of Integra Bank.

Wally Werner (’67) – Manager of Business Operations forBoeing Co.

Jay Zaber (’93) – Graduated with a degree in physicaltherapy. He is a physical therapist for South St. LouisRehabilitation Network and is goalkeeper coach for both theBillikens men’s and women’s teams.

Dr. Chuck Zorumski (’74) – Chairman of the Department ofPsychiatry at Washington (Mo.) University.Kansas City Wizards All-Star and former Billiken Matt McKeon

trains with SLU players at the Billikens’ practice field.

Jim Koenig

All-American Johnny Johnson


M L S C O N N E C T I O N

Saint Louis University soccer is quiterich in tradition. It makes sense thatBilliken soccer plays a part in this

c o u n t ry ’s professional outdoor soccerleague, Major League Soccer.

The Billikens’ latest addition to the proranks is Brad Davis. After two All-Americanseasons for the Bills, Davis turn e dprofessional in January 2002. He was thefirst round draft choice of the NewYork/New Jersey MetroStars.

Through mid-July, Davis already hadbecome an important cog in the MetroStars’scheme. He had played in 17 of their 18matches while starting nine. Davis hadcollected nine points on four goals and anassist.

Meanwhile, Billiken alums BrianMcBride, Matt McKeon, Mike Sorber andMark Santel all have played major roles fortheir MLS teams.

All four players have performed for theU.S. National Team. A two-time All-American for the Bills, McBride is theColumbus Crew’s all-time leader in pointsand goals scored. He is a six-time MLS All-Star.

Sorber played a starring role in theUnited States’ surprise showing in the ’94World Cup hosted by the United States.Sorber gained extensive pro f e s s i o n a lexperience while playing internationally inMexico. It benefitted him throughout his MLS

tenure with Kansas City, the MetroStars andChicago.

McKeon was called up to the NationalTeam in the summer of 1999 and played wellin the Confederation’s Cup in Mexico. Livingup to his collegiate reputation when he wasnamed national Player of the Year in 1995,“The Train” has established himself as one ofthe most commanding midfield presences inMLS. He played a major role in the Wizards’2000 MLS championship run.

A three-time Billiken All-American,Santel made numerous appearances on theU.S. team roster. He was traded from Dallasto Kansas City prior to the 2001 season andretired at the conclusion of that campaign.He had been a mainstay on the Burn rostersince the team’s inception and playedvirtually every position except keeper.

Billiken alums also play a role off thefield. Dan Counce, the 1973 Herm a n nAward winner as national Player of the Year,is the general manager of the Coloradofranchise. Ty Keough, a two-time first-teamAll-American for the Bills, and BillMcDermott, a midfielder for the Bills’ 1967and ’69 national champions, are analysts forESPN and ABC-TV soccer telecasts.

Another former Billiken heavily involvedin the U.S. soccer scene is Dan Flynn. TheBillikens’ MVP in 1977, Flynn is the secretarygeneral of U.S. Soccer. He was the sitec o o rdinator for the World Cup gamesplayed in Chicago in ’94.

Brian McBride

Mark Santel

Brad Davis

Matt McKeon

Mike Sorber

F o rmer Billiken All-American BrianMcBride continued a streak for SaintLouis University when he played a

major role in the U.S. National Te a m ’sstunning performance at the 2002 WorldCup in Korea. A Billiken has represented theUSA in the last three World Cups.

Billiken assistant coach Mike Sorber wasa starter on the U.S. side that played its wayinto the 1994 second round when the WorldCup was played in the States. U.S. headcoach Bora Milutinovic anointed Sorber ashis team Most Valuable Player.

M c B r i d e ’s experience wasn’t quite asenjoyable in 1998 as he scored the only U.S.goal in the World Cup in France. He had toovercome a variety of injuries and otherphysical afflictions to gain a berth on the2002 Cup roster coached by Bruce Arena.Along the way, he became the first U.S.player to score in two different World Cups.

McBride got the U.S. attack started with agoal and an assist in an eye-opening 3-2first-round triumph over Portugal and nettedthe game winner in a 2-0 victory overa rchrival Mexico to advance to thequarterfinals.

He took some time this past summer totalk about his experiences.

What has stayed with you from yourexperience at Saint Louis University?

“So much, because it was such a growingexperience in both soccer and every day life.T h e re were two things re a l l y. One wasadaptation in soccer, because it was adifferent style from high school. The collegegame was quicker and more physical.Learning to work day-in, day-out with yourteammates; learning the defensive end of thegame that you are working for your team;and learning to make space and use it wasall invaluable.

“Second was just personal growth. Imade friends and met lots of quality people.The people that I met at SLU were moreinterested in me as a person than they wereinterested in me as a soccer player. ”

Can college soccer still be anadvantageous route to go for a youngplayer whose dream is to be aprofessional?

“In developing your game, each person isdifferent. The competitiveness to break intoMLS with only 10 teams is incredible. Somespecial players can turn pro at an early age,but many more need the four years incollege to determine if professional soccershould be a career goal.

“In college, you can grow to become abetter player and that process is expeditedwhen you turn pro. Turning pro is the rightmove for some, but for most it’s not. ”

How attractive is it to a young player tosee a former U.S. National Team player likeBilliken assistant Mike Sorber and a formerpro player like Billiken head coach DanDonigan on a coaching staff at the collegelevel?

“Both Danny and Mike are able toarticulate well to the players, because theyhave first hand knowledge of what it takes tobe successful. That’s a complete benefit thatyou can’t get everywhere.”

Why was this U.S. National Team mor esuccessful than the 1998 side?

“We had an attitude of 23 players whowere going to stick together. We had a gameplan, and everyone bought into it.

“(U.S. head coach) Bruce Arena is soprepared for each game. We played better,because we were better prepared. If yougive Bruce the most effort that you possiblycan, he’ll respect you. He has great integrity.

He also brought in some young guys, helpeddevelop them and they produced.”

Is there another World Cup in yourfuture?

“I’d never say never, but that’s a longways away.”

With the array of injuries and otherphysical issues that you’ve endured overyour career, how did you not let that holdyou back?

“Injuries are part of the game, and youcan’t let them sidetrack you. From one ofthose injuries, I was fortunate to meet mywife and get married. There always seems tobe a plan behind everything.”

You’ve always been a celebrity inColumbus, but how are you handling themore national profile that you’ve attainedafter this year’s World Cup?

“All of that are just life experiences, andit’s not extremely important. What are mostimportant are your family, friends and theability to provide for your family. Fortunately,that’s all going well.”


W O R L D C U P C O N N E C T I O N

U.S. forward Brian McBride scored the first goal in 2-0 victory over Mexico in the 2002 World CupKorea/Japan "Round of 16." ( Photo provided by the U.S. Soccer Communications Department)


N A T I O N A L P L A Y E R O F T H E Y E A R

Hermann Trophy1967 – Don Markus Long Island1968 – Manual Hernandez San Jose State1969 – Al Trost Saint Louis1970 – Al Trost Saint Louis1971 – Mike Seerey Saint Louis1972 – Mike Seerey Saint Louis1973 – Dan Counce Saint Louis1974 – Farrukh Quraishi Oneonta State1975 – Steve Raibovsky Brown1976 – Glenn Myernick Hartwick1977 – Billy Gazonas Hartwick1978 – Angelo DiBernardo Indiana1979 – Jim Stamatis Penn State1980 – Joe Morrone Jr. Connecticut1981 – Armando Betancour t Indiana1982 – Joe Ulrich Duke1983 – Mike Jeffries Duke1984 – Amr Aly Columbia1985 – Tom Kain Duke1986 – John Kerr Duke1987 – Bruce Murray Clemson1988 – Ken Snow Indiana1989 – Tony Meola Virginia1990 – Ken Snow Indiana1991 – Alexi Lalas Rutgers1992 – Brad Friedel UCLA1993 – Claudio Reyna Virginia1994 – Brian Maisonneuve Indiana1995 – Mike Fisher Virginia1996 – Mike Fisher Virginia1997 – Johnny Torres Creighton1998 – Wojtek Krakowiak Clemson1999 – Ali Curtis Duke2000 – Chris Gbandi Connecticut2001 – Luchi Gonzalez SMU

Missouri Athletic ClubAward

1986 – John Kerr Duke1987 – John Harkes Virginia1988 – Ken Snow Indiana1989 – Tony Meola Virginia1990 – Ken Snow Indiana1991 – Alexi Lalas Rutgers1992 – Claudio Reyna Virginia1993 – Claudio Reyna Virginia1994 – Todd Yeagley Indiana1995 – Matt McKeon Saint Louis1996 – Mike Fisher Virginia1997 – Johnny Torres Creighton1998 – Jay Heaps Duke1999 – Sasha Victorine UCLA2000 – Ali Curtis Duke2001 – Luchi Gonzalez SMU

On Tuesday, Jan. 9, 1996, Matt McKeon became the first Billikenand first native St. Louisan to receive the Missouri Athletic ClubSports Foundation’s college soccer Player of the Year award.

McKeon out-distanced Virginia’s Mike Fisher and Damian Silvera inthe tightest voting in the 10-year history of the award. McKeon collected66 first-place ballots and 322 points, while Fisher finished with 62 first-place votes and 308 points. Silvera totaled 57 first-place votes and 281points.

A three-time All-American for the Billikens, McKeon earn e dConference USA Player of the Year honors as he collected 17 goals and asingle-season school record 20 assists for 54 points in his senior season.He finished as the Billikens’ all-time leader in assists with 46 and fourth onthe all-time scoring chart with 140 points.

It was McKeon’s third national player of the year award of his career.He was Parade Magazine’s and Gatorade’s national high school player ofthe year in 1991 after a stellar career at DeSmet High School.

Dan Counce was the last Billiken to be named national Player of theYear when he earned the Hermann Trophy in 1973.


Dan Donigan was named as only thefifth head coach in Saint LouisUniversity men’s soccer history on

Feb. 15, 2001.

In his debut season, Donigan finished18-2-0 while leading the Billikens to both theC o n f e rence USA re g u l a r-season andpostseason tournament titles along with anNCAA Tournament quarterfinal berth. It wasthe best record posted by a Billikens first yearhead coach. He was Conference USA’sCoach of the Year. His 10-0-0 start was thebest by a first-year coach in the Billikens’storied history.

Donigan doesn’t expect a decline in hissecond season, “We’ll still have a high skilllevel. We like to recruit players who arecomfortable on the ball, who are able toknock it around and play simple one-touch,two-touch soccer. Our trademark is playingattractive, solid soccer the way it’s supposedto be played.”

Donigan worked his way through theranks to become the Bills’ leader. He joinedthe Billiken coaching staff as an assistant in1997 after three seasons as the top assistantat his alma mater, the University ofConnecticut. He helped lead the Billikens tofour NCAA Tournament bids, including a

1997 final four appearance, two ConferenceUSA regular-season championships and twoC-USA postseason tournament crowns.

He sees the Billiken pro g r a mmaintaining its position among the nation’selite. “We expect to compete for theConference USA championship each year,because that is how you earn your way intothe NCAA To u rnament,” Donigan said.“After that, our ultimate goal is a nationalchampionship to add to the record numberof titles at SLU.

“Academically, we expect to graduateour players within four or five years. We willmaximize a player’s potential. We need toget the most out of every player, becauseevery team gives Saint Louis University itsbest shot every game.”

Donigan has vast experience as both aplayer and coach. He holds a USSF “A”coaching license as well as his NSCAAAdvanced National Coaching Diploma, andhe was one of the most heralded collegiatesoccer players in the nation during his four-year career at Connecticut.

“The history of this program and theprevious players who have been involvedspeak for themselves,” Donigan said. “St.Louis has been a soccer hot bed. We believe

we can compete for a nationalchampionship every time we step on thefield, and you have to shoot for the top.”

The 36-year-old Donigan began hiscollegiate coaching career in 1994 when hereturned to UConn, but he had been on thestaff of camps and Olympic developmentprograms for several years. He also hadserved as president and director of Doniganand Robinson Soccer Camps for five years.

He learned a great deal from legendaryUConn coach Joe Morrone and form e rBilliken mentor Bob Warming. “I know whatit takes to run a Top 10 program,” Donigansaid. “As a coach, I understand the innerworkings of a top-notch program. Thesuccess that both Coach Morrone and CoachWarming enjoyed speaks for itself.”

Donigan’s wealth of talent is evidentevery day. “The fact that I can still play thegame at a reasonable level allows me top a rticipate in the practice and trainingsessions,” he explained. “It’s good for theplayers to see actual demonstrations on thefield. I can get coaching principles across tothe team.”

Donigan continued his pro career byplaying with the St. Louis Ambush (NationalProfessional Soccer League) indoor team.

“Having played at both college andpro, I’ve been exposed to a variety ofstrategies that can be implemented at thislevel,” he said. “I’ve been exposed to allaspects of the game of soccer on every level.

“Running camps taught meadministrative responsibilities. That allowedme to keep myself open to new ideas andnew ways of teaching or implementingstrategies.”

H E A D C O A C H D A N D O N I G A N

T h e D o n i g a n F i l eBirthdate: August 3, 1966Hometown: Trenton, N.J.Education: B.S. in Business Administration from the U. of Connecticut, 1993Athletic Career: Three-time soccer All-American at UConn from 1985-88

1988 adidas award as Nation’s Outstanding SeniorBig East Player of the Decade (1980s)Played professionally from 1990-2000

Coaching History: Saint Louis Head Coach 2001-presentSaint Louis Assistant Coach 1997-2000UConn Assistant Coach 1994-96

Coaching Awards: 2001 C-USA Coach of the YearCoaching Licenses: U.S. Soccer Federation A license

NSCAA Advanced National Coaching Diploma


Prior to his selection as assistant coachat UConn, Donigan was playingp rofessionally as a member of theMilwaukee Wave (NPSL) and of the RockfordRaptors (U.S. Interregional Soccer League).He also served as a corporate salesrepresentative for the Wave, capitalizingupon the business administration degree heearned at UConn in 1993. He is workingt o w a rd his master’s degree in highereducation at Saint Louis University.

Donigan began playing professionallyin 1990. His past teams include the WichitaWings and St. Louis Storm, St. Louis Ambushand St. Louis Steamers, and outdoor teamssuch as the Boston Bolts, Penn-Jersey Spiritand Tampa Bay Rowdies.

While at UConn from 1985-88,Donigan was a three-time All-American andfirst-team All-New England forw a rd. Hereceived the adidas Adi Dasslar Award asthe nation’s “Most Outstanding SeniorSoccer Player” in 1988. He also was one of11 players selected as a 1988 S o c c e r

America MVP, registering team-highs of 11goals and 11 assists while leading UConn toits third NCAA Tournament berth in fourseasons. An All-America pick his last three

seasons, Donigan was afinalist for Missouri AthleticClub Player of the Ye a rhonors as a junior andsenior.

He also was selected asthe Big East Confere n c eNorthern Division Player ofthe Year for his final twoseasons. As part of the BigEast’s 10-year anniversaryin 1991, Donigan wasf u rther honored by hisselection as the Big EastPlayer of the Decade.

Donigan finished hisHuskies career with 35 goalsand 40 assists for 110

points. In the Connecticut record book, heranks fifth in all-time scoring, second incareer assists and sixth in career goals.

H E A D C O A C H D A N D O N I G A N

DAN DONIGAN CAREER COACHING RECORD

Head Coach Career: 18-2-0 (.900)Year University Record Postseason Honors2001 Saint Louis 18-2-0 NCAA Quarterfinalist C-USA regular season and tourney champions

Assistant Coach Career: 84-37-15 (.673)Year University Record Postseason Honors1994 Connecticut 12-6-01995 Connecticut 7-11-21996 Connecticut 15-3-31997 Saint Louis 16-5-4 NCAA Semifinalist C-USA tourney champs, national semifinalist1998 Saint Louis 14-5-1 NCAA 1st Round C-USA regular season co-champions1999 Saint Louis 17-4-2 NCAA 2nd Round C-USA regular season co-champions2000 Saint Louis 13-3-3 NCAA 1st Round C-USA regular season and tourney champions


A S S I S T A N T C O A C H

Mike Sorber re t i red from MajorLeague Soccer in February 2001,to begin his coaching career as

Dan Donigan’s first assistant coach.

“Mike’s retirement in what was still theprime of his professional career to seize theopportunity to begin his coaching career atSaint Louis University speaks volumes aboutthe tradition of Billiken soccer,” Donigan

said. “His status as a National Team playercombined with his reputation within the St.Louis soccer community is beneficial to ourre c ruiting eff o rts both locally andnationally.”

“This is something that I’ve alwayswanted to do, and it was important for me totake advantage of it and move forward intothe next chapter of my life,” Sorber said.“Saint Louis University was the springboardfor me to reach the National Team and playin the World Cup. It’s like family to me, andit is great to give back to the community.”

Sorber is one of the most capped playersin U.S. history with 67 appearances for theNational Team. His 67 caps rank him in thetop 20 all-time for the U.S. side. Sorberstarted all four games for the U.S. during the1994 World Cup.

After his stellar World Cup performance,Sorber played two seasons for UNAMPumas in Mexico. He became the first

American to earn All-Starstatus in Mexico’s FirstDivision.

Sorber began his MLSc a reer with Kansas Cityduring the league’sinaugural 1996 season. Hewas traded in the off-seasonto the NY/NJ MetroStarsand appeared in 74matches over three seasonswith the MetroStars.

The Chicago Fireacquired Sorber in a tradeduring the 2000 season,and he helped Chicago winthe Central Division title andreach the MLS Cup final. In116 career MLSappearances, he start e d106 matches and totaled37 points (9G, 19A).

The 31-year-old St. Louisnative was a 1992 Hermann

Trophy finalistduring hissenior year atSaint Louis. Hewas a four-year standoutfor theBillikens andwas a centralf i g u re in theBills’ drive tothe 1991n a t i o n a lsemifinals. He

finished his Billiken career with 55 points(13G, 29A).

“It is a great honor to come back and bea part of working with student-athletes whohave the same dreams that I had – playingprofessionally and representing our countryin the World Cup,” Sorber said.

Sorber earned his bachelor’s degree incommunication from Saint Louis Universitywith a minor in criminal justice in 1994. Heaccomplished this while playing for the U.S.National Team.

The Sorber family name has long beenconnected to the St. Louis soccer community.Mike’s father, Pete, was the head coach at St.Louis Community College–Florissant Valleyfor 30 years and won 10 National JuniorCollege Athletic Association nationalchampionships. Mike Sorber, his wife,Mindy, and son, Kyler, live in St. Louis.

Mike Sorber playing in the 1994 World Cup as a memberof the U.S. National Team.

T h e S o r b e r F i l eBirthdate: May 14, 1971Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.Education: B.S. in communication from Saint Louis University, 1994Athletic Career: Saint Louis University midfielder from 1989-92

67 career caps with U.S. National TeamUNAM Pumas (Mexico) 1994-95Kansas City Wizards (MLS) 1996NY/NJ MetroStars (MLS) 1997-99Chicago Fire (MLS) 2000

Coaching History: Saint Louis Assistant Coach 2001-presentCoaching Licenses: U.S. Soccer Federation B license


S O C C E R S U P P O R T S T A F F

Bobby O’Connell

Nikki Duncan

Dr. Jennifer Burke

Dr. Mark Miller

Assistant Coach

Athletic Trainer

Team Primary Care Physician

Team Orthopedic Surgeon

Bobby O’Connell begins his coachingcareer the season after concluding his playingcareer with the Billikens. His responsibilitieswill center around daily administrative dutiesand assisting with technical and tacticalpreparation during training sessions.

“Bobby brings a level of enthisasm everyday to training that not many people canmatch,” head coach Dan Donigan said. “Hewill prove to be extremely helpful to our staffand our team.”

O’Connell made 29 career appearancesfor the Billikens. He scored the lone goal of his

career during a memorable Senior Nightgame against Marquette to cap the 2001home season. A valuable role player for theBills during his four-year career, O’Connell’steammates voted his goal as the 2001 goal ofthe year. He also shared the Mark DemlingAward with Mike Hill following the 2000season.

O’Connell earned his bachelor of sciencedegree in education from the University in2002.

Nikki Duncan joined the Billikens’ staff inOctober 2000 and supervises athletic trainingservices for men’s soccer, softball and men’sand women’s swimming.

Duncan was the head athletic trainer atChristian Heritage College in El Cajon, Calif.,from 1997-2000. She was responsible for alladministrative duties while working directlywith men’s and women’s soccer, women’svolleyball, cross country and men’s andwomen’s basketball. She served the Arkansas

Razorbacks as a student trainer from 1995-97. She assisted with men’s basketball andbaseball.

Duncan earned her bachelor of sciencedegree in sports medicine from John BrownUniversity in Siloam Springs, Ark. Shereceived her masters degree in kinesiologyfrom the University of Arkansas.

Nikki and her husband, David, live inValley Park, Mo.

A New Jersey native, Dr. Jennifer Burkecompleted her undergraduate studies atRutgers University and her medical degree atRobert Wood Johnson Medical School. Whileat Rutgers, Burke was a four-year member ofthe women's crew team. After completing afamily medicine residency in York, Pa., and aprimary care sports medicine fellowship inToledo, Ohio, Burke moved to St. Louis whereshe has served as the primary care physicianfor the Billikens since 1999.

In addition to her team physicianresponsibilities, Burke teaches re s i d e n tphysicians and is the director of sport smedicine at the Forest Park Hospital FamilyMedicine residency program. Burke also hastraveled with the United States Figure SkatingAssociation, as well as assisted with theUSFSA High Performance Training Campssince 1999.

In his third year as SLU’s team orthopedicsurgeon, Dr. Mark Miller is a board certifiedorthopedic surgeon, fellowship trained in bothshoulder surgery and sports medicine.

Miller completed his orthopedic residencyat the University of North Carolina thenreceived his shoulder fellowship at ColumbiaPresbyterian in New York. Miller completedhis sports medicine fellowship at the AmericanSports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Ala.

Dr. Miller’s primary responsibilities are theevaluation and treatment of musculoskeletalinjuries of the SLU athletes. He also supervisesthe efforts of the athletic trainers and physicaltherapists who make up the SLUCare sportsmedicine team.

Dr. Miller and his wife, Nancy Weaver,reside in Chesterfield and have two children,Eliza and Jackson.


P A T L E A H Y S C H O L A R S H I P

The Pat Leahy Scholarship wasestablished in 1992. Leahy is anative St. Louisan and form e r

National Football League star who was avalued member of three Billiken NCAAnational championship teams during hisplaying career from 1969-72.

The proceeds from Leahy’s annual golft o u rnament benefit both the men’s andwomen’s soccer programs at Saint Louis aswell as the Pat Leahy Soccer ScholarshipEndowment Fund. The funds are usedprimarily to cover fifth-year scholarships forBilliken soccer players.

Upon his retirement from pro footballon July 6, 1992, Leahy left as the third-leading scorer on the NFL’s all-time list with1,470 points behind only Hall of FamersGeorge Blanda and Jan Stenerud.

The highlight of Leahy’s NFL career waswhen he was voted the Jets’ MVP followingthe 1990 season. He scored 101 points thatyear and finished as the Jets’ leading scorerfor the 11th straight season.

A plaque is permanently displayed inthe Bauman-Eberhardt Athletic Center onthe Univesity campus acknowledging theaward and its recipients.

Dan Leahy, Pat Leahy and Billiken Clubchairman J. Kim Tucci at 1992 ceremonies tointroduce the scholarship.

Pat Leahy kicked for the New York Jets for 18 years.

The Billikens celebrate Bobby O’Connell’s Senior Night goal.

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