CSR (Kurt Visker Named First Team All-American by NSCAA)

CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR DECEMBER 8, 2005

MEN'S SOCCER - VISKER NAMED FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN BY NSCAA

GRAND RAPIDS - For the second straight year, Calvin College senior Kurt Visker
has been named a Division III All-American by the National Soccer Coaches
Association of America.

A native of Grand Rapids and a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School,
Visker has been named to the NSCAA Division III All-America first team squad
this year after receiving second team All-America honors a year ago.

Visker will receive his award on Saturday, January 21, at the NSCAA convention
in Philadelphia, Pa.

Visker is one of four individuals in Calvin men's soccer history to receive
All-America accolades and is the first to do so in back-to-back years. Other
Calvin men's soccer All-Americans include Casey TerHaar (1962), Doug DeSmit
(1983) and Joey Barone (1991).

A defensive back with offensive firepower, Visker scored 10 goals and
collected three assists this fall for a total of 33 points. He also helped key
a Calvin defense that posted nine shutout victories and gave up only 18 goals
in 23 games.

Visker's biggest moment of the season came in the second round of the NCAA
III Tournament when he scored two second half goals including the game-winner
with just 13:41 left in regulation to lift Calvin to a 2-1 upset victory at
second-ranked and previously unbeaten Ohio Wesleyan University. His
game-winning goal came on a 30-yard blast from the right wing.

"Kurt is a big-time player and he proved it again this year," said Calvin
men's soccer coach Chris Hughes. "His two goals against Ohio Wesleyan were
the type of plays he made throughout his career. Kurt is the most complete
player I have ever coached. He could create on offense and shut down the
offense of the opposing team He's very deserving of this award. I'm
delighted to see him honored like this and I know the rest of his teammates
feel the same way."

Visker helped Calvin finish 17-4-2 overall as the Knights qualified for the
NCAA III Tournament for the second straight year and advanced to the Sweet 16
round before bowing out in a penalty kick shootout against Fredonia State of
New York. Calvin also finished ranked 16th in the final Division III Top-25
poll of the year.

Despite playing primarily a defensive position, Visker finished his collegiate
career with 17 goals, six assists and 40 points.

Last month, Visker was named to the All-MIAA first team for the fourth
straight year, becoming just the sixth player in MIAA men's soccer history to
receive the honor four straight years.

Over the course of his collegiate career, Visker helped the Calvin men's
soccer team post an overall won-loss record of 61-19-4 (.742) that included two
MIAA titles and two trips to the NCAA III Tournament.

Visker is one of three players from the MIAA to receive All-America honors as
Hope senior Geoff Meyer was also named a first team All-American by the NSCAA
while Hope senior Devin McNeil was named to the second team. All three players
were teammates this summer for the West Michigan Edge - a member of the United
Soccer League.

For the complete list of Division III All-Americans, please visit the NSCAA
web site at: http://www.nscaa.com/home/115221.html

Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Thu Dec 8 16:03:46 2005