Wolverines Add Four Student-Athletes for 2011 Season
2/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 23, 2011
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's soccer head coach Steve Burns announced today (Wednesday, Feb. 23) the commitment of four student-athletes for the 2011 season. The class boasts players with international and academy experience as well as several high school state champions.
Michigan received National Letters of Intent from Kevin Grigsby, a defender from Phoenix, Ariz.; Robert Greenfield IV, a defender/midfielder from Atlanta, Ga.; Colin McAtee, a forward/midfielder from San Diego, Calif.; and T.J. Van Slooten, a midfielder/forward from Grand Rapids, Mich.
"This group of players addressed several areas of need for our team and will add overall depth to our program," said Burns. "They all bring a level of discipline, versatility and athleticism that is going to seamlessly mesh with our strong group of returning players."
Grigsby was a three-year varsity starter at Brophy College Prep and helped his squad to two 5A-I state championships, as a freshman and a senior. In addition to his prep accolades, Grigsby was a member of the Arizona Olympic Development team in 2009 and played with the Sereno SC club team that won Arizona Youth state championships in 2007 and 2009. His club also claimed the 2010 Surf Cup Championship in San Diego, Calif.
"Kevin is a great athlete that has a real competitive streak to his game," said Burns. "As a defender, he is mechanically very strong, and he has an innate sense for the timing of joining an attack."
Greenfield joins the Wolverines after a four-year prep career at The Westminster School in Atlanta, Ga., where he was a four-year varsity starter and led his prep team to back-to-back state championship appearances as a freshman and sophomore. Additionally, Greenfield and his prep squad earned three consecutive regional championships. Greenfield has netted 27 goals and 12 assists through his junior season. He earned the Best Newcomer Award as a freshman and was named Best Offensive Player as a junior. Greenfield is a member of the Concorde Fire Elite USSF Academy Team and has competed in the Super Y Team Academy Showcases, Surf Cup and Walt Disney World Showcase. Greenfield is also an accomplished track athlete, competing in the 100m, 4x100 relay and the triple jump. He led Westminster to a track and field state championship as a sophomore and is one of the best triple jumpers in school history.
"Robbie's speed is off the charts, and he'll use this asset as either an attacking fullback or winger," said Burns. "He has all the tools for us to help mold him into a great player."
McAtee comes to Michigan after a terrific prep career at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, Calif. A three-year letterwinner, McAtee led his high school team to the CIF San Diego Section Division I Championship and CIF Southern California section semifinals as a freshman. As a junior, McAtee earned San Diego Union Tribune first team honors and was named to the All-Avocado League after leading Torrey Pines to the CIF San Diego Section quarterfinals with 13 goals and seven assists. McAtee is a member of the California Scholarship Federation and San Diego Union Times All-Academic Team and is a Torrey Pines Scholar-Athlete. McAtee has an extensive club resume playing with the San Diego Surf Academy Team as well as SC Bayern. Additionally, McAtee played for the CAL South Olympic Development Team and won the Region IV championship in 2007 and 2008. McAtee also has international experience, competing in the Northern Ireland Milk Cup last summer and at the Manchester United Premier Cup World Finals.
"Colin is a very dangerous player when he can face up a defender and run at him," said Burns. "He's a strong athlete that can get through the gears quickly and is as determined a player as I've ever seen."
Michigan native Van Slooten will don the maize and blue after an outstanding prep career at Northview High School in Grand Rapids. Van Slooten is a two-sport athlete, competing in varsity soccer and track and field. On the soccer field, he was a four-time all-district selection and three-time all-state, all-region and all-conference selection. Van Slooten put together his finest campaign as a senior, leading Northview to an undefeated season and a Division 2 state championship while setting school records with 31 goals and 17 assists. He earned a spot on the MHSAA All-State Dream Team as well as high school All-America honors and a Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year nomination. Van Slooten played his club soccer with the Derby County Wolves and GV-Pass. Van Slooten was on the Derby County team that won the National Youth Championship in 2008-09 and was a member of the team that advanced to the national playoffs in 2009-10. Van Slooten also has Olympic Development experience and played with the Michigan ODP state team for four years (2005-08) and was a member of the regional team in 2008. He also went on the Region II international trip to Barcelona, Spain, in 2008 and was a member of the Super Y -- US Club National Camp in 2007-08.
"TJ has the technical ability to turn defenders inside out and the soccer intelligence to put himself in dangerous attacking positions," said Burns. "He has a big engine and knows how to use it in covering the ground."
The Wolverines are coming off a record-setting 2010 campaign in which they advanced to the College Cup and claimed the program's first-ever Big Ten Tournament title.
Contact: Jessica Poole (734) 763-4423
