Summer News Blog
A Farewell to Monsieur Hervé
With the new season just around the corner, it seems appropriate to reflect on a former member of the Johns Hopkins Club Soccer Association, none other than our token Frenchman Clement Hervé.
Much like "Les Bleus" during their 2010 World Cup campaign, Clement's stay with the Mid-Atlantic squad was short and controversial but provided many talking points and memories. From his mistranslated expressions to his beloved skintight Rennes jersey, Clement made quite an impression with his American teammates.
Shortly after joining the team, Clement's living accommodations were upgraded into the luxury Pike House located on the 32nd Street block of North Charles Street where he often mingled with the local bison (JHU Newsletter Article here) during parties. Along with his fellow French contingency, Clement was a regular at Hopkins invents, soaking in the American University Experience.
Sadly, Clement's run here has ended and we must all bid him adieu, but the legacy of Monsieur Hervé will surely not be forgotten.
Ex Varsity Forward Nussdorfer working with Psychologists
After a disappointing 2010 season which saw first year player Scott Nussdorfer fail to find the net, he has been working with a sports psychologist to overcome his game time woes.
Having been part of the NCAA tournament qualifying Hopkins Varsity team in 2009, Nussdorfer was expected to bring an immediate boost to the frontline of the JHU Men's Club Soccer team, especially after the graduation of Dela, but instead endured the toughest season of his career.
For the past several months, Nussdorfer has been away from the game in order to clear his mind. Seeing a sports psychologist will hopefully see him return to form and contribute to the goalscoring threat of the team, something that was lacking during the 2010 season.
JHU Club Soccer Association introduce new President Daniel Mandel
Earlier in the week new Johns Hopkins Club Soccer President and Captain Daniel Mandel was introduced to the team. This will be Mandel’s 4th season with the club and was the obvious successor to Stephen Dunlap.
Following a loan spell in Switzerland during the spring of 2011, Mandel has shown himself around the Hopkins facilities and has already made plans for the Fall 2011 season. While addressing the team earlier this week, Mandel told the squad “I would like to approach this year's season a little differently than the past couple years, not so much in our joga bonito mentality, but in the way the team works on and off the field. I sincerely believe that the only thing stopping us from reaching nationals and doing well there is our own commitment.”
Mandel even raised the possibility of bringing back former captain Kevin Ruppel onto the coaching staff, which was well received amongst the squad. Having taken over a rebuilt squad from the team that reach the National Campus Championship Series in 2009, Mandel hopes to continue to build with a return to the NCCS in mind.
Seebacher continues European Training Tour
Following an injury plagued 2010 season, midfielder Lorenz Seebacher is on a European training tour that will lead him through London, the South Downs (England), Southern Austria, Elba (Italy), and Northern Italy.
Following hamstring and ankle problems that limited the Austrian midfielder to only 4 games during 2010 season, he looked strong during exhibition games in the spring and continues to work on his fitness overseas. While on his European tour, Seebacher has made public appearances at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the British Formula 1 Gran Prix, and the Red Bull Flugtag in Leeds.
Seebacher will be participating in small-sided games with several teams around London before flying to Southern Austria where he will be training with his former team, St. Veit. Following a tour through Northern Italy Seebacher will return to the training facilities at Hopkins and will embark on what he hopes to be a breakout season with the club.
