Thursday, September 6, 2001

Scholarship athletes improve men’s soccer team
By Nathan Loewen
Wire Coordinator

Assistant coach Blake Amos has not been shy about calling the men’s soccer team one of the best squads TCU has fielded in years.

For the first time in school history, the TCU men’s soccer team will have four players on partial scholarships. The Frogs welcome junior transfers Michael Blackburn, a forward, and Carrington Brown, a midfielder; sophomore transfer Justin Franklin, a defenseman; and true freshman Joseph Field, a defenseman.

David Dunai - Senior Photographer Junior forward Michael Blackburn is one of four players on scholarship for the men’s soccer team. The Frogs are counting on this year’s recruiting class to play a large role in what coaches have called one of the strongest squads in years.

Amos said he expects the recruits to have a direct impact on the program. “We brought these guys in to make us better now,” Amos said. “We want these guys to have an immediate impact.” Amos said it has been hard for the men’s soccer program to compete for top recruits without scholarship money. Now that the team has 2 1/2 scholarships, the playing field is a little more leveled.

“We’re happy that we have scholarships and we feel we did the best with what we had to work with,” Amos said.

Since the scholarships were awarded to the program as a means of improving it, the scholarships could only be given to new recruits and not returning players. Senior midfielder Nick Baker said there are no hard feelings.

“There is no animosity toward (scholarship recipients) among the team,” he said.

The men’s squad only scored 26 goals last season and were shutout five times. With this in mind, Amos said the program went out to find offense.

Blackburn said he hopes his impact will show on the field.

“I hope to bring in a real offensive presence and threat,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn played two years at Jacksonville which was a top contender in NCAA Division I.

There, Blackburn finished second on the team in goals (six), points (16) and shots (27). He was also named second-team all-conference.

The Frogs are also hoping Brown will be a threat. Brown helped Barry University reach the finals of the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Tournament in Florida.

Brown has all the tools to succeed, Amos said.

“Brown has speed and will be a dangerous attack on the right side,” Amos said.

The Frogs will have to do without the services of Franklin, who was injured during the summer and will miss the entire season. Amos said it hurts because Franklin came from the University of Portland, who qualified for the NCAA Tournament.

“It was nobody’s fault,” Amos said. “It always hurts though to lose a scholarship player.”

When he returns, Franklin will bring maturity to the team, Amos said.

“Franklin and Field will have more of an impact next season,” Amos said.

Field is the only true freshman brought in on scholarship.

“(Field) brings excitement to the team and he is a natural athlete and leader,” Amos said.

Field, who is expected to improve the Frogs defense, has great potential and will be a big part of the future, Amos said.

“We expect these guys to come in and makes us better,” Baker said. “They are doing well out on the field.”

Nathan Loewen
n.d.loewen@student.tcu.edu