Feb. 6, 2003

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis head soccer coach Richie Grant and his staff announced the first signee of the 2003 class Thursday in local prospect Brad Whitsitt. Whitsitt will join the Tigers after a strong career at Christian Brothers High School where he played under the tutelage of former Memphis standouts Didier Aur and Rogerio Lima.

A versatile player that can play forward or in the midfield, Whitsitt was a three-year letterwinner and led the Purple Wave to back-to-back Tennessee state titles and national rankings in 2001 and 2002. As a senior at CBHS, Whitsitt collected 18 points on 10 assists and four goals as the Purple Wave recorded a 22-1 mark and finished the season ranked fifth in the nation. This past season as a senior, he was named all-metro, all-region and all-tournament in the sub-state tournament and was chosen to compete on the Tennessee ODP Team.

"I was fortunate to coach Brad with the Tennessee'85 team," said coach Richie Grant. "I have always been impresses with his intelligence of the game. He has great knowledge of his positions on the field. He can play more than one position, which makes him a good recruit for us and in trying to keep the best talent in Memphis in Memphis, we feel that we have done just that in getting Brad."

Whitsett played club soccer for the Rangers '85 team and helped pace them to a 9-0 league record, while winning the Superclub Regional Tournament.

Memphis, who finished the 2002 season with a 10-7-1 record, has begun spring training sessions and is scheduled to participate in the 2003 Memphis Cup with CBU, Lambuth and Rhodes College. The Tigers will play Rhodes in the opening round on February 28 at 3:45 p.m. at Echles Field on the University of Memphis Campus.