UIndy Welcomes Incoming Athletes
The University of Indianapolis football and women’s soccer teams announced their class of 2015 signees earlier this February.
The football team saw 15 future Greyhounds officially pen their names on Feb. 2, while women’s soccer added eight to its roster on Feb. 7.
Women’s soccer head coach Kiley Cirillo noted that compared to last season, the 2011 class size is above average.
“It’s probably on the heavier side. We like to keep around six [recruits],” Cirillo said.
He explained that the team will be losing eight players in 2012. This year’s recruits will replace them once they graduate, but until then, they may not start. Despite this, the minutes they play will still be significant contributions.
In contrast, the 15 players in the football team’s signing class aren’t as many as in past seasons. However, only seven seniors will graduate this year.
“Koby Orris from Fishers was the state champion in 5A football, and Connor Barthel and Reece Horn from Cathedral [High School] were 4A state champions and an offensive lineman named Austin Vogt from Delphos St. John in Ohio won the state championship,” Bartolomeo said. “Not only are they good players, but they also come from good high school programs.”
According to Bartolomeo, in addition to having high school state championships, the recruits are strong academically with an overall average GPA of 3.3 and SAT scores over 1100.
According to head football coach Bob Bartolomeo, he is adding to the list everyday.
Cirillo noted that the recruits have played with competitive club teams and gained great experience with those teams.
“Hopefully, they will bring experience, and that can help us right away, so we won’t have to develop,” Cirillo said.
Bartolomeo has a different perspective for the football team.
“They are still freshmen coming in, and they have a lot to learn,” said Bartolomeo. “But they are good football players. And if they’re the best at their positions, then they will play.”
The football staff officially welcomed its new players with a signing day party Feb. 21 in Schwitzer Student Center. The event featured Bartolomeo speaking about the future Greyhounds and the 2011-2012 football season.
