<strong>Comets picked first in ASC Coaches’ Poll</strong>

The UTD men’s soccer team, last season’s American Southwest Conference championship runner, has been tabbed as the team to beat in the 2004 ASC season, which will be played as a 14-team division for the first time this fall.

The ASC head coaches predicted a tight race for the regular-season conference title with the top four teams each earning first-place votes and falling within 28 points of each other in the preseason polling. UTD claimed five first-place votes and 189 total points, outdistancing the University of Texas at Tyler (six first-place votes) and Hardin-Simmons University (one first-place vote), who tied at second with 162 points each. McMurry University picked up two first-place votes and totaled 161 points for fourth.

Defending ASC champ University of the Ozarks was picked to finish fifth (159 points).

<em>- ASC News & Info.</em>

<strong>UTD soccer standout playing semi-pro</strong>

Former UTD soccer All-American Trent Abbott is continuing his soccer career with the DFW Tornados, a semipro team in the Premier Development League of the United Soccer Leagues.

The Tornados play their home games at Pennington Field in Bedford, Texas – the same field Abbott played on as a high school star at Euless (TX) Trinity HS.

Abbott was a standout for the UTD Comets, winning NCAA Division III All-American honors after his 2003 senior season. He was also the UTD Athlete of the Year, as well as a two-time All-American Southwest Conference Academic team selection. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2003.

“The academic reputation UTD has is true,” Abbott told the Dallas Morning-News. “I wondered what it would have been like to have played at a bigger-name college, but it all turned out good.”

Because of injuries to other players, Abbott was able to get starting time with the Tornados almost immediately. Though his time has been reduced with the return of the injured players, Abbott’s coaches have been very complimentary of his attitude and work ethic.

“Trent has composure and discipline. His future is fine ,” Tornados coach Bernard Brodigan told the Morning-News.

<em>- UTD Sports Information</em>

<strong>Comet Club formed to support athletics</strong>

UTD Athletics is dedicated to developing the highest quality athletic program to complement its outstanding dedication to academics.

In order to accomplish these goals, UTD needs your help through registering to become a member of the Comet Club.

Athletics receives no state funding, therefore, Athletics must rely on additional outside support to help fund the cost of an athletic program. Money received from donations to the Comet Club can be designated by sport or placed in the general athletic fund.

Comet Club members will have the opportunity to share in the success of UTD’s athletic teams. Benefits, such as email newsletter updates, official Comet apparel, media guides and other publications and all-sports season tickets are all benefits offered to Comet Club donors. Comet Club members will also have the opportunity to meet and interact with members of our athletic teams and coaches.

For more information, contact UTD Athletics at 972-883-2096.