March 12, 2002

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Seven men's soccer players have signed national letters-of-intent to play for Stony Brook University in the 2002 season, head coach Scott Dean announced.

Six freshmen and one sophomore transfer comprise the 2002 recruiting class, which Dean calls "potentially the best recruiting class we've ever had here." Kyle Hicks, Jamaar McCleggon, Austin Morris, Chris Scarpati, Dave Sobarzo, Payton Webb and Rob Yturraspe will all play for the Seawolves during the upcoming 2002 season.

Kyle Hicks, a Philadelphia, Pa., native, plays for the FC Delco club team, which is among the top five club teams in the country, and the Region I team. Hicks, who will play mostly attacking midfielder for the Seawolves, could prove to be an impact player for Stony Brook.

Jamaar McCleggon, a 6-2, 185-pound central defender, plays with the national program in his native Ontario, Canada. McCleggon, who turned down full scholarship offers from University of Rhode Island, Florida Atlantic University, University of Buffalo, and UConn, will arguably be one of the fastest Division I players in the country.

Austin Morris is currently the captain of the Maryland state team. The 6-4, 175-pound outside back/midfielder, should vie for significant playing time and perhaps even a starting position at right back or right midfielder for the Seawolves.

Dix Hills, N.Y., native Chris Scarpati plays central defender for the Region I team and the FC Westchester club team, which won the national championship in 2000. At 6-2, 175 pounds, Scarpati could make an immediate impact for Stony Brook, according to Dean.

Dave Sobarzo, who graduates from St. John the Baptist High School in Islip, N.Y., this spring, is an outside midfielder for the Elwood club team. According to Dean, Sobarzo's quickness, speed and outstanding work ethic will make him a key role player for the Seawolves.

Striker Payton Webb plays for the Texas state team and the Houston Texans club team. Webb's additional experience of playing for the Texas state team should help him become a strong goal-scorer for the Seawolves.

Rob Yturraspe, a sophomore transfer from Villanova University, rounds out the 2002 class. Yturraspe, an outside back, played on the West Babylon Panthers club team that Dean coached to the national title in 2000.

Although the 2002 class is young, Dean thinks it could be the best all-around group of recruits the program has seen during his five years as head coach. Hicks, McCleggon and Scarpati all rejected offers from fellow America East Conference member University of Hartford, as well as in-state rival St. John's University to play for the Seawolves.

"As a whole, this group is strong on academic and personal levels, in addition to playing for some of the best regional and club teams in the country," Dean said. "They are young but they're talented. Each student-athlete has played at a high level and they all have the ability to come in and make an immediate impact. Plus, the class joins a young group, which allows us to work and build with a team that will be together for awhile."