UConn's White Returning for Senior Year

Hermann Trophy Finalist Forgoing Any Pro Opportunities

December 14, 2007

STORRS, Conn. - UConn men's soccer standout forward O'Brian White officially announced today that he will return to the Huskies for his senior season in 2008, forgoing any professional opportunities at this time.

"I am excited to return to UConn for my senior season," White said in a statement released by UConn Athletics. "I am looking forward to graduating from the University and giving the team everything I have in my senior season. We accomplished so much this year, but fell a step short of reaching the College Cup and I want another chance to reach college soccer's ultimate event with my teammates. Even though we are losing four incredible players from this year’s team (Chukwudi Chijindu, Ryan Cordeiro, Julius James and Louis Jones), I think next year's team has a lot of potential and I look forward to the opportunity to lead our team to the College Cup. Following my senior season, I will then begin to explore my opportunities of playing professional soccer."

A 2007 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, White wrapped up his junior season as the NCAA leader in scoring with 23 goals and seven assists for 53 points. He was named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-BIG EAST after earning conference Player of the Week five times this season.

White had multi-goal efforts on seven occasions, including three hat tricks, becoming the first player in UConn history to tally back-to-back hat tricks, as well as three in a career. He now holds the UConn record for single-season goals, bypassing the mark set by Joe Morrone, Jr., 28 years ago. White is eighth all-time at UConn with 101 career points (40g, 21a).

"O'Brian was a tremendous part of our success this season and we are fortunate to have him back for another year," said coach Ray Reid. "He was one of the most dominant forwards in the country as a junior and it is our mutual hope that he will be even stronger as a senior. We have high expectations for him as a player and for our team as a whole next year."