Indiana University Athletics
Popolizio To Join Hoosiers in Fall
3/2/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
March 2, 2012
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana University head men's soccer coach Todd Yeagley announced today that T.J. Popolizio of Brown University will join the Hoosier squad in the fall of 2012.
A three-year soccer letterwinner at Brown, Popolizio will have one season of eligibility remaining.
"We are very excited to have T.J. join us at IU," Yeagley said. "T.J.'s ability to score goals, along with his attacking tenacity and work rate, will strengthen our effectiveness in the final third. The ability to add an experienced player with great character and winning qualities is very important as we look to put the final pieces together for next fall."
Popolizio will earn his undergraduate degree from Brown this spring and enroll as a graduate student in the Kelley School of Business this fall.
"First, I want to thank the coaching staff and my teammates at Brown who have made this opportunity possible," Popolizio said. "Due to Ivy League rules I am unable to use my final year of eligibility at Brown, and after this season began to consider using my final year at another program.
"Indiana is a perfect fit for what I was hoping to accomplish in the next year. The opportunity to pursue my MBA at a top institution in the Kelley School of Business, as well as join one of the elite soccer programs in the country.
"Coach Yeagley and his staff have given me this incredible opportunity and I am looking forward to helping this team in whatever way I can this fall. I am excited to join the team in their goal of a Big Ten and NCAA championship next season. I couldn't be more grateful or excited for the opportunity."
In 2011 Popolizio led the Bears in scoring with eight goals and three assists (19 points). A starter in 15 of 20 matches played, he helped lead Brown to a 12-5-3 record and the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Popolizio had an assist in a 3-2 win over Fairfield in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Popolizio assisted on the game-winning goal against Harvard and had two goals in a 3-2 overtime win against Princeton, including the game winner. He had a score against Kentucky and both goals in a 2-0 victory at South Carolina. He also added game-winning goals in a 2-0 win over Temple and a 2-1 win over George Mason.
In three years at Brown, Popolizio appeared in 52 matches, making 18 starts. He finished with 13 goals and four assists. The Bears advanced to the NCAA Tournament each of his three seasons, making third-round appearances the last two years.
Popolizio was also a varsity wrestler at Brown, competing with the squad all four seasons.
