Wolverines Add Seven Individuals for 2004 Fall Season

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A pair of Gatorade state Players of the Year are among coach Steve Burns' seven additions to the University of Michigan men's soccer team for the 2004 season, the head coach announced today (Tuesday, Feb. 24). Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year Steve Hecker (Portage, Mich./Portage Northern HS), a midfielder, and Delaware Gatorade Player of the Year Tolu Olowolafe (Bear, Del./Glasgow HS), a forward, are joined by defender Justin Aramaki (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS), midfielder Michael Parke (Portage, Mich./Portage Central HS) and defender Michael Schneider (Barrington, Ill./Barrington HS) on U-M's list of National Letter of Intent signees.

Also joining the Wolverines on the field next fall will be recruited walk-on forward Cam Cameron (Ann Arbor, Mich./Saline HS) and midfielder Ryan Alexander (Pontiac, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit HS), who is presently enrolled in school at U-M after transferring from Wake Forest at the begining of the 2004 winter term.

"This class is a committed group of student-athletes that will add the depth and talent to our team that will allow us to continue to compete at the national level," commented Burns, who led the Wolverines to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2003. "These young men all possess the pillars of character, work ethic, humility and dedication that our foundation was built upon. We look forward to blending them together with our 18 returning players."

Aramaki is a four-year letterwinner out of Ann Arbor Pioneer High School under head coach Chris Morgan. The two-year captain was a two-time all-conference, all-region and all-state selection while being named Pioneers Most Valuable Player in 2002 and 2003. Aramaki played his club soccer for the Michigan Wolves and coach Derek Williford. With the Wolves, he captured state and regional championships in 2002, and helped the team finished third at the National Championships. In 2003, he led the Wolves to another state championship on their way to a regional runner-up finish, and helped them win the prestigious Score at the Shore Tournament in Long Island, N.Y. A five-time selection for the Michigan ODP State Team, Aramaki helped lead the team to regional championships in 2002 and 2003 and was a member of the Midwest Regional Team in 2003.

"Justin possesses a huge engine and great defensive instincts," said Burns. "He also has a discipline and a mental toughness to his game that allows him to stay calm under the most adverse conditions. He is a guy that will seamlessly fit in with and contribute to our team."

Hecker, the 2003 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year and an NSCAA All-American, was a four-year letterwinner at Portage Northern High School under head coach Chris Riker. During his final two years (2002-03), he garnered Michigan "Dream Team" and all-state honors, as well as being named Portage Northerns Most Valuable Player and serving as team captain in 2003. Hecker played his club soccer for the Michigan Wolves and head coach Lars Richters. As a member of the Wolves, he captured state championships in 2001 and 2003 while teaming with current Wolverines Brian Popeney (Canton, Mich./Plymouth Salem HS) and Kevin Savitskie (Plymouth, Mich./Salem HS) to claim a USYSA National Championship in 2003. A two-time selection for the Michigan ODP State Team, Hecker is also a member of National Honor Society and a four-year Honor Roll recipient at Portage Northern.

"Tactically speaking, Steve reads the game at an exceptionally high level on both sides of the ball," noted Burns. "You need both bricks and mortar when building a wall and Steve is a mortar player that holds everything together for a team. Hes a guy that knows how to win and is thirsty for more success."

Delaware's Player of the Year in 2003, Olowolafe comes to Michigan via Glasgow High School, where he played for head coach Bob Bussiere. While at Glasgow, he was a three-time all-conference and all-state selection, garnering conference Player of the Year honors in 2002 and 2003. The forward was also named to the NSCAA All-Region team in 2002 and the NSCAA All-American team in 2003, where he earned team MVP honors. Olowolafe played his club soccer for the Kirkwood Phoenix and coach Mike Digiacobbe, leading the team to seven Delaware state championships and four regional final fours. He was also a member of the Delaware ODP State Team and was selected for the Northeast Regional Pool from 2000-03. Off the field, Olowolafe is a member of National Honor Society.

"He is a difference maker with a great feel for the game. As an attacking player, Tolu puts defenders on their heels and is a handful to contain," said Burns. "He is a very proficient goal scorer who will have a great collegiate career at Michigan."

Parke, a four-year letterwinner out of Portage Central High School under head coach B.J. Snow, was a two-time captain and earned 2003 Academic All-State and all-state honors and all-conference and all-district honors in 2002 and '03. Parke played his club soccer for TKO of Kalamazoo and coach Michael Haines, and led his team to the State Cup finals in 2002 before he moved to the Michigan Wolves and joined fellow Michigan signee Aramaki in 2003. A five-time selection to the Michigan ODP State Team, he helped the team win regional championships in 2002 and 2003. Off the field, Parke has earned high honors all four years of high school.

"Michael possesses an athleticism that combines strength and intelligence," remarked Burns. "He's a very versatile player that has the bravery and ability to score goals, and the bite and tenacity necessary to defend."

Schneider was a two-year member of the famed Chicago Sockers Top Talent Program under coach Brett Hall prior to 2003 when he returned to Barrington High School and coach Scott Steib for his senior year. While at Barrington he was named all-conference, all-area and all-state. With the Sockers, Schneider led the team to the Nike International Premier Cup World Finals and the 2003 regional final four. A three-year member of the Illinois ODP State Team, Schneider helped the team win the regional title in 2001 and advance to the national Final Four in 2002.

"Mike brings a wealth of experience as a central defensive personality," said Burns. "He is a technically clean player, extremely competitive, and a strong athlete. In our competitive environment, his transition to the college game should be a quick one."

Cameron, a local product from Saline High School and coach Brian Lampman, captained his team to the MHSAA state final in 2003. A two-time all-conference selection, he set Saline's all-time goals scored mark and was named to the Michigan all-state team in 2003. Cameron played his club soccer for coach Thomas Olivier and the Ann Arbor Arsenal program, which he led to the State Cup final in 2003. Off the field, Cameron is a member of National Honor Society and is an active member of the Eagle Scouts of America.

"The 'sleeper' of the class, Cam recently exploded onto our recruiting radar screen," explained Burns. "He brings raw athleticism, exceptional work ethic and strong character to our team. As a forward, Cam also possesses that innate and rare ability to score goals. He has only scratched the surface of his potential."

Alexander, out of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, where he teamed with current Wolverine forward Mychal Turpin (Pontiac, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit HS), spent two years with Wake Forest. He played in 17 games last season and tallied three goals and three assists. He is a four-time Michigan ODP State Team member and three-time member of the Midwest Regional Team. Alexander was also selected as "Mr. Soccer" in the state of Michigan during his senior year. He will have two years of eligibility with the Wolverines beginning next season.

The Wolverines lost seven seniors from last year's squad that reached the College Cup Elite Eight and finished the season ranked No. 7 in the nation with an overall record of 14-7-1.

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown (High School)	Club/University
Justin Aramaki	D	5-10	160	Ann Arbor, Mich. (Pioneer)	Michigan Wolves
Steve Hecker	MF	5-11	165	Portage, Mich. (Portage Northern)	Michigan Wolves
Tolu Olowolafe	F	5-10	170	Bear, Del. (Glasgow)	Kirkwood Phoenix
Michael Parke	MF	6-0	160	Portage, Mich. (Portage Central)	Michigan Wolves
Michael Schneider	D	6-2	175	Barrington, Ill. (Barrington)	Chicago Sockers
Cam Cameron	F	6-0	160	Ann Arbor, Mich. (Saline)	Ann Arbor Arsenal
Ryan Alexander	MF	6-1	175	Detroit, Mich. (Detroit Jesuit)	Wake Forest