Blast Leave for First Trip with Former IU Star
April 17, 2003 - A-League (A-League)
Indiana Blast News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-At 9:00AM Thursday morning, the Blast departed for their first trip of the 2003 season and they did it with local star John Swann under contract.
The Blast are traveling to Wilmington, NC where they will be holding a seven day training camp to prepare for their first two games on the road. The Blast will travel to Richmond, VA on April 25th to take on the 2002 Eastern Conference Champions the Richmond Kickers in their first game of the 2003 season. On April 26th, the Blast will make their way to Virginia Beach, VA to kick-off against the newly revamped Virginia Beach Mariners.
Although the Blast have two tough games right from the start, the Blast are excited about some additions they have made in the recent weeks. The biggest addition was the signing of their 2003 draft pick, John Swann. Swann, originally from Brownsburg, IN, attended Brownsburg High School and went on to be a star for Indiana University where he was a First Team All-American. Swann was drafted by DC United in the 2003 MLS Superdraft, but has chosen to begin his professional career with the Blast.
The Blast have added four more players to their roster, three from the Open Combine that was held in March. Justin Lucas, Michael Martinez, and Mike Ngonyani all attended the combine in hopes of landing a spot on the 2003 squad. Lucas attended Tennessee Wesleyan where he was First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Region, and an All-American. Lucas most recently played with the Greenville Lions of the Pro Select League.
Ngonyani hails from Tanzania, but grew up in Bloomington, IN. He attended Southern Illinois University with fellow Blast newcomer, Justin McMillian. Martinez, who was born to parents of Mexican descent, is from San Bernardino, CA. He attended Chico State in Chico, CA and spent the '99 season with the former Nevada Zephyr's of the PDL.
The Blast have also resigned a familiar face for 2003. Jeff Dresser will be joining the Blast in what will be his sixth season with the team. In his five years with the team, Dresser has accumulated 29 goals and 8 assists. Jeff attended Cornerstone University where he led the NAIA in 1993 with 40 goals.
The Blast will kick off their 2003 season at home on May 9th at 7:35pm against the El Paso Patriots. It's "Freebie Friday." The Blast invite you, your friends, and family to experience the Blast atmosphere FREE OF CHARGE. This one's on US!!
SPONSOR UPDATES- Special thanks to Blast uniform sponsor - Kappa USA and to the team's official soccer retailer - Soccer Unlimited, who together insure that the team will always look its best and be ready to play, both at home and on the road.
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A-League Stories from April 17, 2003
- Blast Leave for First Trip with Former IU Star - Indiana Blast
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