M-2 Soccer Team, Student Body Disregard 1^st Round Playoff Elimination and Lack of Talent to Entertain Pipe Dreams of National Championship

COLUMBIA ñ Wearing a ìNO FEARî T-shirt, head soccer coach Marcus Wade intently paces the sidelines, barking commands at the athletes.Ý With the opening game for next yearís season just 325 days away, fans are eagerly anticipating another round of medical school menís soccer.

ìI canít wait for the season to start,î said fan Jean Ann Dymott.Ý ìI got a high lottery number, which guarantees seats on the grassy hill overlooking Stankowski field.î

The expectations at the medical school are sky-high, with insiders predicting a national championship.

ìMy fellow classmates,î said class president Chris Hempel in his weekly radio address.Ý ìJoin me in supporting the menís soccer team as they seek to hoist yet another championship banner in the atrium.î

Much of the anticipation is due to the hiring of Tim Geiger as assistant coach of strength and conditioning.

ìThis program is not just about maxing out on weights,î said Geiger.Ý ìWe encourage a nutritious diet for the athletes, complete with high intake of protein and anabolic steroids.î

Adding to the excitement is a student cheering section behind the north goal post.

ìWe are excited to support the team and offer half-time entertainment,î said Christian Brodeur, captain of the spirit squad.Ý ìOf course my routine consists of mindless taunting and endless obnoxiousness. But the guys know itís all in fun and that, when push comes to shove, Iím really their biggest stooge.î

In all the excitement, many have forgotten some of the off-season controversy surrounding the team.Ý Substitute player and water distribution engineer Adam Fedyk was suspended for 4 games for ìviolating team rules.îÝ Fedykís suspension has disappointed many of the players.

ìFor me, it hurts psychologically,î said starting goalie Surya Rednam.Ý ìThe sideline will seem empty without Fedyk serving refreshing water.î

Further controversy was sparked with alleged recruiting violations.Ý Daniel Hoyt, a blue chip player from Springfield signed with the program as a consensus All-American.Ý However, Hoyt came under fire for accepting food and other gifts from boosters.

ìUnfortunately, successful athletic programs often have influential opponents,î said Coach Wade.Ý ìThese people seek to divert soccer money towards personal gain.î

One outspoken critic of the soccer program is Jeff Mudrick.Ý Mudrick has actively lobbied the administration to take away funding from student athletes.

ìBuying new uniforms and a weight-lifting facility for the soccer team is an obvious example of favoritism,î said Mudrick.Ý ìMeanwhile, the administration cut the budget of my Dyslipidemia Interest Group (DIG).î

To counter such criticism, Coach Wade has promoted a Total Person Program (TPP) for soccer players.Ý The TPP features a mandatory study hall on weeknights, which encourages the athletes to complete learning objectives.

ìMany of these athletes lose track of why they came to medical school,î said Mendi Zion, director of TPP.Ý ìPart of our role is to emphasize that life is about more than just soccer.î

The opening game for the 2003 season is on Thursday night, March 27 at 9:00 PM.Ý Many fans plan to tailgate next to Stankowski Field starting at noon.

ìItís an unbelievable atmosphere,î said fan John Medley.Ý ìItís always Miller time on menís soccer game day.î