February 3, 2009

DITTRICH SIGNS PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT WITH STUTTGARTER KICKERS
Senior defender signs with German squad

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Commonwealth University men’s soccer team has a long history with former Rams joining the professional ranks.

That history got a little more storied on Tuesday morning as Dirk Dittrich (Stuttgart, Germany), who just completed his senior year at VCU, signed a contract with the German 3. Bundesliga team, the Stuttgarter Kickers.

“I am really happy for Dirk,” Head Coach Tim O’Sullivan said. “He deserves this opportunity. He is a winner. Once he understands his environment he has the persistence and drive to succeed. He is another example of a VCU success story.”

His tough, hard-nosed defensive play made it nearly impossible for opponents to score, holding opponents to under a goal per game during his two seasons in the Black and Gold.

”Dirk is a player that truly represents what VCU soccer is all about,” O’Sullivan said. “Not only was he a tremendous player on the field, he was an excellent student and best of all, a class individual.”

His stellar play has not gone unnoticed as he has been named to the NSCAA/Adidas All-South Atlantic Region Third Team to go along with his First-Team All-CAA honors he received at the end of the 2008 campaign..

“Dirk has been our leader the past two seasons. He is an outstanding leader by example. Every day he brings his best. We will really miss Dirk going forward,” remarked O’Sullivan.

The 2008 season marked the third straight year that Dittrich has earned an All-Region honor from the NSCAA/Adidas as he earned Second-Team honors in 2007 and Third-Team honors in 2006 while at Gardner-Webb.