Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 3, 1995 TAG: 9511030040
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-16 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Language wasn't a problem. Spooner speaks English, albeit with the Oxonian accent of his hometown, Oxford, in England.
Homesickness wasn't much of a problem. The United States was definitely where he wanted to be.
No, Spooner fretted that he might not be a good enough soccer player to play with the mighty Highlanders.
He had concluded the Highlanders were an American soccer force because the guy who had recruited him, former Radford boss Don Staley, took pains to highlight the exploits of then star Dante Washington. Washington set numerous offensive records at Radford on the way to a berth on the Olympic team.
Spooner's impression was that the whole team was stocked full of players such as Washington.
That, of course, didn't turn out to be the case. Neither did it turn out that Spooner didn't fit in. One hundred forty points scored in three seasons and the best part of a fourth speaks eloquently of the degree to which Spooner fit in.
Washington's name continues to come up when Spooner is mentioned. That can't be helped now that he's second to Washington on Radford's career goal scored list (58 for Spooner, 82 for Washington) and in points scored (Washington had an out-of-sight 230).
``I'm not really following in Dante's footsteps,'' Spooner said of his former teammate. ``A guy who played on the Olympic team and scored all those goals leaves some pretty big footsteps to follow.''
Soon enough, somebody may be saying the same thing about Spooner. The guy has had a fabulous career and has no trouble whatsoever standing on his own merits.
Spooner's game has been at its most meritorious this season. Going into this week, the 24-year-old striker was second nationally in NCAA Division I scoring with 49 points (20 goals, nine assists).
Which, come to think of it, indicates that Radford has received consistently good value from the soccer equivalent of a pig in a poke. Staley (succeeded in 1994 by Spencer Smith) recruited Spooner sight unseen.
How it happened is almost as convoluted as a twice deflected shot on goal. Spooner was in the United States in 1990 working for a Washington D.C. area company that stages soccer camps. One of the camps was at Pulaski County High. A guy named Clarence Smith, the parent of one of the players in the camp, was so impressed with Spooner that he recommended Staley take a look at him.
Somewhat to his surprise, Spooner heard from the Radford coach in December of that year. Staley requested Spooner come up with references on his play. Spooner collected some testimonials and mailed them back.
A scholarship offer from Radford followed. Because of some questions about whether his academics transcripts would transfer from England without complication, Spooner didn't know for sure whether he'd be Radford bound until two weeks before the fact.
Now, he doesn't want to leave.
``I'd like to coach at the collegiate level eventually and to do that, I have to be here rather than in England,'' he said. ``College soccer is much better here than it is there.''
Spooner played with the Roanoke River Dawgs of the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues last summer and is likely to do so again next season.
``I'm happy and content to play at that level,'' he said. ``If somebody [from a pro team] sees me and I have a chance to play somewhere else, that would be a bonus.''
The success of his long-term plans may rise or fall on a green card.
``I have two years to think of something,'' he said. ``I could always get married to an American, too.''
Then, anticipating the reaction to his last statement, he said, ``I wouldn't marry just for a green card.
``My intentions would be honorable.''
by CNB