News Release

Gkionis to Play Professional Soccer with Cyprus-Based MEAP Nisou

HOBOKEN, N.J. (June 28, 2007) � Recent graduate Nick Gkionis (Jackson, N.J.), who made a name for himself over the last four years as a standout player with the Stevens Institute of Technology men�s soccer team, has reached an agreement to play professional soccer with MEAP Nisou of the Cypriot Second Division in Cyprus. Gkionis, whose mother Maria is originally from the small island in the Mediterranean Sea, will leave the United States on July 10 and officially sign the contract when he arrives in Cyprus.

Throughout his career with the Ducks, Gkionis developed into one of the most talented players in program history. He capped his senior year off by being named a first-team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Gkionis, who did not play varsity soccer until he was a junior in high school, was also a D3Kicks.com third-team All-American as he helped lead Stevens to its fourth-straight NCAA Championship Sweet 16 appearance in 2006. Over the course of his four years in a Ducks� uniform, Stevens captured four Skyline Conference titles and did not lose a single home game.

"During my time at Stevens, I had the opportunity to play with a lot of great players that I truly admire," Gkionis said. "Ever since I was a child, I had the dream of playing professional soccer, but I always felt that it was too far-fetched. I want to thank all my past teammates, coaches and the staff at Stevens for helping me develop throughout the last few years."

Gkionis is quite familiar with Cyprus after having spent seven summers there with his family. In fact, he still has ties to the region and will be living with his grandmother when he heads overseas in the coming weeks. In addition, Gkionis� uncle Steve Rotsides played professionally in the Cyprus First Division during the 1970�s. Rotsides was also a member of the national team.

After arriving in Cyprus in a few weeks, Gkionis will begin an intense preseason training regimen with the team that will include a 10-day stop in Europe. The Cypriot league, which is broken up into four divisions, officially begins in September and runs through May. The season includes intra-divisional play as well as a year-end inter-division championship cup.

"I feel that Nick will be very successful in Cyprus,� Ducks� head coach Tim O�Donohue (Weehawken, N.J.) said. "Over the last two years, he has not only been one of the best players in Division III, but Nick has become one of the best collegiate soccer players in the country. He has the size, technical ability and pace to be successful at the next level."

Gkionis credits much of his success to the tutelage of O'Donohue and assistant coach Rhett Goldsmith (Hoboken, N.J.).

"Coach O'Donohue and Coach Goldsmith set forth a different discipline that I had ever seen before in terms of how you should act and carry yourself as a student-athlete at Stevens," Gkionis said. "They pushed me to become a better player, and they always had confidence in me."

Though Gkionis will be difficult to replace as the starting center back in the Ducks� defensive alignment, O�Donohue is confident that he has players in place that can help offset the loss. In addition, he feels that Gkionis' success will impress potential recruits.

"Our goal is to continue to attract players of Nick�s caliber," O'Donohue said. "We hope that future players realize that you don�t have to sacrifice your educational experience for a quality soccer experience. Stevens can offer both."

Submitted 2007-06-28 12:54:45 by D3Kicks.com Sports Information Department

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