Ironmen Defender Returning to MLK High School for Soccer Awards Dinner
December 8, 2008 - Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release
Newark, N.J. (Monday, December 8, 2008) - When defender Oral Bullen chose to sign with the New Jersey Ironmen over the indoor offseason, it was not only to play for a premiere club but also an opportunity to be close to his hometown of Brooklyn, New York. Wasting little time to give back to his alma mater, Bullen will return to Martin Luther King, Jr. High School in Brooklyn on Tuesday to speak at their annual Soccer Awards Dinner.
"It's just an amazing feeling to be back home after spending time all over the country," Bullen said. "I've played in the Midwest and on the West Coast, and it's amazing to be back home playing in front of my family and friends again."
Bullen is the ultimate portrayal of overcoming obstacles to achieve your dreams. During his time at MLK High School, he was a winner of three championships in four seasons. He also captained the team during both his junior and senior years, twice being named to the All-New York City First Team. He was also named the New York City Player of the Year in 2001, and he comes back to his alma mater with the team still fulfilling the potential that they were reaching when he was suiting up for them in his high school days. This past fall, they won the 2008 New York City Public High School Championship.
Now a professional player for the Ironmen, Bullen has a message that will certainly hit home with the group of young athletes that sit in the same position he was in just a few years ago.
"I feel the team can relate to what I am saying because I was once in their shoes," Bullen continued. "I really want to get out the message that no matter where you come from, you can accomplish anything you want in life if you are dedicated. Even if you grow up in an urban area, you can make a better way because the sky is the limit."
After graduating from MLK High School, Bullen went on to become one of the top scorers in school history when he played college soccer at the University of Massachusetts. He served as captain of the Minutemen during both his junior and senior seasons and finished his collegiate career with 54 points in 75 games. His 21 goals and 12 assists placed him just outside the UMass all-time top 10 points list. The two-time All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection helped lead the Minutemen to two A-10 tournament berths, and he was also honored as an NSCAA/adidas All-New England Second Team selection following his junior year.
Bullen first played in the professional ranks as a member of the Portland Timbers in 2006. He registered a pair of goals and an assist for the USL-1 side, once earning Team of the Week accolades. He took his game indoors for the first time in 2006 for the Milwaukee Wave, tallying seven points (two goals, three assists) and five blocks in 18 matches. He followed up that performance last season in Milwaukee with eight points (goal, six assists) and 21 blocks, showing his durability by missing only a single contest.
At the conclusion of their home debut this Sunday, Bullen and the Ironmen will be co-hosting with the Soccer Learning Center the Heroes Cup Revenge Match. The Heroes Cup Revenge Match is the second installment in a soccer series between the Jersey City Fire and Police Departments, with the first win going to the fire department this past summer at Giants Stadium. Running concurrently with the preparation for the Heroes Cup is a jersey fundraiser. Both a police department and fire department jersey have been placed on Ebay, each with one side autographed by the Ironmen players and one side autographed by the Red Bull New York players. Funds raised from the fire department jersey auction will go to The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas, and the money raised by the police department jersey auction will go to the Women Rising programs for women and families.
The Ironmen are also partnering with Jersey Cares at their home opener by hosting a coat drive at their home opener, which will benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Fans are encouraged to bring gently-worn coats that can be donated at the Prudential Center entrances.
Also on hand for the 2008-09 Ironmen home opener will be philanthropist Ethan Zohn, who will be the honorary captain during the season opening ceremonies. After receiving the million-dollar prize for winning Survivor-Africa in 2001, Zohn did the opposite of what drives most people to reality television. He took his winnings and co-founded Grass Root Soccer (GRS), a non-profit organization that focuses on worldwide HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness. In Africa professional soccer players are viewed as heroes within their communities, and GRS begins their approach with them. They first train those athletes about HIV/AIDS, and then those players go into the schools in Africa to teach the youth about the lethal disease. Zohn recently completed a 550-mile soccer dribble from Foxboro to Washington D.C. to raise awareness and funds for his cause. Also making a special performance at the opener will be raggatone artists La Union Del Barrio.
Xtreme Soccer League Stories from December 8, 2008
- Ignition Announce Partners with A,P,S - Detroit Ignition
- Ironmen Defender Returning to MLK High School for Soccer Awards Dinner - New Jersey Ironmen
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