Redlands player goes in MLS SuperDraft

University of Redlands soccer standout Ross Schunk was the only Division III athlete out of 70 invited to the MLS Combine last week at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

That was an honor in itself. But the news get better later in the week as he was selected by the Colorado Rapids with the 47th pick of the MLS SuperDraft last Thursday in St. Louis, Mo.

"I was very excited," Schunk said. "I thought I did pretty well at the combine so I thought I had a chance. But you never know what they're thinking or what they're looking for."

Schunk, 22, is the first Redlands men's soccer player to enter the MLS via the SuperDraft. Adam Acosta (2005) was signed in 2006 by Real Salt Lake but did not enter the league through the draft process. He was signed as a free agent.

Schunk monitored the draft on the internet. Shortly after seeing his name come up he received a phone call from Rapids Head Coach Gary Smith.

He will report to training camp next week but isn't sure how many athletes he will be competing against for a spot on the roster.

"I'll just find out when I get there," he said. "It's just a great opportunity. Coming from a Division III school, you never know if you're going to get that."

Schunk's list of accolades in his Redlands career is lengthy. He set the career records for goals (63) and points (139) while garnering three first-team All-SCIAC honors, including Player of the Year awards his sophomore and senior seasons. He was part of four SCIAC championships and led the Bulldogs to the Elite Eight in 2007 as a junior.

Colorado finished the 2008 season 11-14-5.