Omaha Vipers Sign Creighton Athletics Hall of Famer
October 15, 2010 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Omaha Vipers News Release
(Omaha) - The Omaha Vipers today signed two-time National Player of the Year and Creighton Athletics Hall of Famer Johnny Torres. Torrres has a decade-long professional soccer career. Arguably the greatest soccer star in Creighton and Missouri Valley Conference history, Torres played for the Bluejays from 1994-97.
In his first season as a full-time assistant in 2008, the Jays brought home MVC Coaching Staff of the Year honors. His roles on the coaching staff include scouting, recruiting and training.
Torres himself has always been active in service throughout his collegiate and professional playing days. He visited thousands of youth in the Omaha community in the 1990s, while he was tabbed the Children's Miracle Network National "Hometown Hero" in 1996. A native of Medellin, Colombia, he was honored by the Omaha City Council with "Johnny Torres Day" on Oct. 27, 1996, in recognition of earning U.S. Citizenship just days before, his community service and his soccer skills.
Torres was named to the MVC All-Centennial Team, earning the most online votes in the fan poll. In 1997 he won both the Hermann Trophy and the Missouri Athletic Club Award (prior to the combination of the awards), recognizing him as the National Player of the Year. In 1996 he earned National Player of the Year honors from Soccer America after leading the Jays to their first College Cup appearance. When his career ended he was the Valley's all-time scoring (128 points) and assists (36) leader.
He was the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 1998 MLS Draft by the New England Revolution. He played for the Revolution for four seasons and also played for the Miami Fusion and Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer, before continuing his career in the USL for the Minnesota Thunder and the Milwaukee Wave United, while ending his career in indoor soccer with the Milwaukee Wave. He continues to compete, playing on the United States Adult Soccer Association Over 30 championship team and playing with the Nebraska 402 team which qualified and participated in the U.S. Open Cup in 2009.
The 2004 Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, two-time first-team All-American and three-time first-team all-region and all-conference selection has a 4-year-old son, Dominic.
The Omaha Vipers are the MISL's newest franchise and will begin play November 21, 2010 vs. Missouri (Kansas City) Comets at 3:05pm at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. Season tickets are now on-sale at 402.932.3335 or on-line at www.omahavipers.com . The 12 game package can be purchased for $96 up to $216. A twenty-five dollar (per ticket) deposit will hold your tickets until November 1st.
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Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from October 15, 2010
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- Omaha Vipers Sign Creighton Athletics Hall of Famer - Omaha Vipers
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