Kalamazoo Outrage News Release - www.tkosoccer.org

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

KALAMAZOO, MI -- The Kalamazoo Outrage PDL side are glad to announce some of the biggest news in their short history today with the acquisition, pending USL/PDL approval, of Portage native and Indiana University standout Eric Alexander.

Alexander, 20, will be a junior with the famed Hoosiers in the fall. He was a standout at Portage Central High School helping them to the regional finals in his junior and senior seasons. In 2006, he garnered several awards including being named the NSCAA/Adidas Boys High School National Player of the Year and Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year as well as Michigan's Mr. Soccer.

Outrage PDL head coach Stu Riddle was understandably thrilled with the signing of such a talented player, "It’s wonderful news for everyone involved with the club and also the community of Kalamazoo. To have a player with the resume of Eric playing in his hometown will hopefully bring people out in droves to watch."

In 2006 Riddle had the chance to work with Alexander while coaching former PDL side Kalamazoo Kingdom and is excited at the prospect of teaming up with him again, "I said at the time Eric is the best young talent I’ve ever worked with and 2 years on I expect him now to be one of the best talents I’ve ever worked with."

Speaking from Bloomington IN. where the Hoosiers are in the middle of their spring season Alexander said he can’t wait to pull on an Outrage shirt, "I'm really excited about playing with the Kalamazoo Outrage. We have a lot of very good players and it's going to be very competitive. I think we have a great shot at having a good run in the play offs with all of the talent we will have in our squad."

Alexander, playing in the midfield, has enjoyed a flourishing career to date with the Hoosiers as a two-year starter and his growing reputation in college soccer has seen some people to predict him as a future Hermann Trophy winner. He also spent last year with the PDL West Michigan Edge.

Riddle also sees a big future for Alexander, "The sky is the limit for Eric. Two years ago I had Josh Tudela play for me and he's now playing alongside David Beckham at the LA Galaxy. With continued dedication Eric can match Josh's achievements without a doubt."

Kalamazoo Outrage president Doug Hammerberg said the signing of Alexander spoke volumes for a team that is making headlines for all the right reasons prior to their debut season. "It is a great opportunity for us to have such an accomplished player locally, to have him commit to the Outrage solidifies an already strong roster. It is like the feeling you get when you put the last piece of the puzzle in place. We are really looking forward to seeing Alexander back on the field in Kalamazoo."

Fans in Kalamazoo can get their first glimpse of both Alexander and the Kalamazoo Outrage on Sunday May 4th when they host Club Guanajuato, a local Latino Select side. The match will kick off at 3pm at Mayors Riverfront Stadium in downtown Kalmazoo and will be open to the public free of charge.