Indiana University Athletics
Grabavoy to Stay at Indiana (08-25-03)
8/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- After a tryout with a professional team in France last week, men's soccer player Ned Grabavoy has decided to remain and Indiana University for his junior season.
"It was a good experience for me, but when I stepped off the plane (upon returning to the United States) and made my decision to stay in school this year, it was all pushed to the back of my mind," Grabavoy said. "I'm focused on Indiana now, and I'm excited to get the season started."
Grabavoy, a native of New Lenox, Ill., trained with Monoco, a team in the French First Division, last week. Monoco approached him after watching him play this summer for an amateur team in Chicago. Grabavoy kept his amateur options open by paying his own expenses and after deciding to stay at Indiana, rejoined the Hoosiers at practice on Monday.
Head coach Jerry Yeagley couldn't be more pleased to have Grabavoy back at IU.
"It's the best news of the weekend," Yeagley said. "He will be our go to player in the attack. Ned is a personality player who brings excitement and flair to the game, both individually and collectively. Now our challenge will be to find the right combination to go with Ned and our attack."
Grabavoy is IU's leading returning scorer with 20 points last season on six goals and eight assists. He scored 15 points in Big Ten play to lead all league players. A unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection, Grabavoy was a second-team All-American as a sophomore.
Indiana will open the regular season by hosting the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28 and 29. Action kicks off on Friday at 5 p.m. when UAB and No. 12 Notre Dame play. No. 7 Indiana and No. 17 California will follow at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the match between Notre Dame and Cal begins at 5 p.m., while IU and UAB square off at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, contact 1-866-IUSPORTS.
