City Islanders Hopefuls Attend Open Tryout
Published on March 5, 2008 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Nearly sixty City Islanders hopefuls attended the Open Tryout held this past weekend at In the Net. All of the hopefuls returned Sunday morning after a grueling three-hour tryout on Saturday. Fifteen players were invited back to play Sunday afternoon with several of the current Islanders in hopes of impressing Coach Bill Becher and his team of evaluators.
"Thanks to the six hardworking coaches conducting the evaluations, we were able to identify six players who have been invited to continue their tryout at training camp," Skipper Bill Becher commented. "You have to love the enthusiasm and hopeful attitude each player brings to this type of tryout. This concludes our open tryouts. We were able to spot five potential players from our first tryout held in January and six from this past weekend."
As preparation begins for this season, these eleven are looking to work themselves into the team and may be the next impact player needed for the Islanders. Local soccer fans may recognize two high school stand outs, both from Middletown High School. Jason Pellitier and Geoff Bloes were part of Middletown's championship season. Pellitier played college soccer at Robert Morris and Geoff Bloes at Shippensburg. In additional two other local players were identified throughout the open tryouts included Jason Mancuso, York College and Dan Visser, Messiah College.
The sixty players turned in a solid effort and made selections difficult for the staff, showing their true personality and enthusiasm for the game. In fact, one of the players who tried out this weekend played the first ten minutes in his boxers. Why? Apparently he forgot his shorts. The coaching staff quickly provided him with a pair of shorts. Most players would have left and came back another day, but this guy stayed! Lack of shorts didn't stop him. Apparently his soccer skills outweighed his lack of equipment. This player earned an invitation to training camp beginning March 17th.
The Islanders staff would like to thank those mid-state coaches who helped with the evaluations. They included: Mike Corney, (Islander's Scout and Assistant Coach); Denis Clarke (City Islanders Academy Coach); John Abe (former professional with the Harrisburg Heat and Hershey Impact); Dave Brandt (Head Coach at Messiah College); Sam Bishop (former City Islanders Goal Keeper); and Head Coach Bill Becher.
Best wishes to those players invited to training camp. Pre-season training camp opens March 17, 2008 at In the Net.
Teammate Brame Named Children's Miracle Network PA Champion
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Congratulations to our very own honorary Islanders teammate Sean Brame who has been selected by the Children's Miracle Network and Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital as Pennsylvania's representative for the "Champions across America" program. The programs goal is to raise awareness of the Children's Miracle network hospitals and the courage, determination and treatment of the children who are treated there and throughout the country.
Sean's exceptional recovery story from septic shock has prompted him to be chosen for this triumph honor. As Pennsylvania's representative it is outstanding to have a patient from Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center be elevated to this position.
Sean was recognized with a send off party on Tuesday at the Medical Center by staff, and many very important caregivers and supporters in Sean's recovery including several City Islanders players. Those in attendance bid farewell to him and his family as they prepare to travel to Orlando, Florida and Washington DC.In Florida, Sean will be addressing the audience at the opening of the convention. This is a gathering of over 1000 sponsors, miracle families and media executives and celebrities. In Washington DC, Sean will be meeting Miss America as well as President Bush.
Sean lives in York Haven with his father Michael, mother Carol and big brother Patrick. As a sixth grade student at Crossroads Middle School, he loves soccer. Look for Sean at City Islanders games and congratulate him on his honor. For more of Sean's courageous story visit the following website http://www.hmc.psu.edu/cmn
United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 5, 2008
- City Stars Welcome Swiss TTP As New 2008 Title Sponsor - Cleveland City Stars
- City Islanders Hopefuls Attend Open Tryout - Penn FC
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