Jan. 18, 2012
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - On hand in Kansas City, Mo., for the MLS SuperDraft last week, UCF head coach Bryan Cunningham felt like a proud parent. Cunningham had good reason to be pleased as two of his players - midfielders Kevan George and Warren Creavalle - were both selected in the second round of the draft.
George went to the Columbus Crew with the 29th overall pick and Creavalle was picked by the Houston Dynamo with the 37th selection.
UCF was one of only 10 schools nationally to have more than one player selected. The Knights spent virtually the entire 2011 campaign ranked in the top 25 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championship for the second-straight year. The two MLS SuperDraft selections are just another example that UCF is one of the premier programs in the country.
"It is great when you are recruiting kids," Cunningham said. "You let them know that you have had players go on to medical school, to law school, to own companies, to start their own companies and go on to play professional soccer. Both Kevan and Warren came here knowing that they wanted to play professionally, but they also wanted to help UCF to grow. In doing that, they propelled themselves to where they are now. "
Following the draft, both George and Creavalle were quick to credit Cunningham and assistant coaches Mauricio Ruiz and Antti Laitinen for helping them reach their goals of playing professionally.
"They have been a focal point of my success on and off the field," George said. "They helped me mature as a young man. They helped me improve my game. I owe them a lot."
George spent four years at UCF, earning All-Conference First Team honors on three occasions. Creavalle, a 2010 NSCAA All-America Third Team pick, played at UCF as a junior and senior.
"They played a big role," Creavalle said of UCF's coaching staff. "UCF has put me on a platform to gain exposure. It really says a lot about the program and the direction that it is headed."
They played a big roll. It has put me on the platform to gain exposure. It really says a lot about the program and the direction that it is headed."