Seton Hill senior Daryl Ferguson has received an invitation to participate in the Charleston Battery’s training camp, beginning in mid-March. A standout defender for the Griffins, Ferguson was named to the All - American Mideast Conference (AMC) – North team in 2005, Daktronics Men’s Soccer All-Appalachian Region Second Team and the All – West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team in 2006, and played for the Delaware Dynasty of the Premier Development League during the summer of 2006. (The PDL is the highest level of soccer in which a college or high school player can participate while retaining their NCAA eligibility.)

“Daryl is a player we have had our eyes on for some time and the more we see of him, the more we like him,” stated Charleston Battery Assistant Coach Mark Watson. “He possesses great athleticism, speed and strength, in addition to a fantastic attitude and work ethic. With these qualities, we are extremely hopeful that he will be able to develop into a solid professional and we are really looking forward to Daryl coming into our pre-season camp and continuing to impress. He will have a great opportunity to showcase his skills against some of the best players in the country during our pre-season tournament versus 3 MLS teams.”

One of the first male soccer players recruited by Seton Hill following the school’s decision to move from a women’s school to a co-educational institution in 2002, Ferguson is a pre-med student who also serves as a Seton Hill Student Ambassador. His mother, Marita Ferguson, was also a student-athlete at Seton Hill, playing on the Seton Hill women’s basketball team until her graduation in 1978 with a degree in psychology.

"I'm very proud to have a player of Daryl's caliber come from our program,” says Seton Hill Head Soccer Coach Dan McCarty. “His skill and work ethic will serve him well as he enters the next level of play. He's a solid man on and off the pitch. He has earned every opportunity that comes his way."

Ferguson, true to his quiet nature (off the field, at least) admits to being excited about the opportunity, but doesn’t want to take anything for granted. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” he says.

Ferguson, who had planned on graduating from Seton Hill with a degree in biology in May, is committed to finishing his degree.

“I talked to my professors when the Battery invited me to come down and try out,” Ferguson says. “I’ve made arrangements to take some classes on-line, and will come back to finish up what I need to on campus as soon as I can schedule it – hopefully this spring.” The Seton Hill Men’s Soccer Program finished the 2006 regular season with a 7-9-1 record. Three members of the Griffins were named to the All WVIAC men’s soccer team and two played in the Premier Development League (PDL) over the summer of 2006. Seton Hill announced its move from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), American Mideast Conference to the NCAA Division II West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) in 2006. Seton Hill will play its first full season with the WVIAC in 2007.

The Charleston Battery is a professional A-League soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information on the team, please visit www.charlestonbattery.com.