Wilkes University

A New Team But Same Old Uneasy Feeling

. BY DAVE KONOPKI DAVEK@LEADER.NET
 Wednesday, January 28, 2004 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1B 





Rich Eckman loves soccer. He's been playing the sport for the majority of his
17 years and has established himself as one of the best high school players in
the state. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But when it came time for Eckman to decide where he'd play soccer for the
next four years, the game took a back seat to his love of landscape design. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Lake-Lehman High School standout recently made a verbal commitment to
play soccer at the University of Delaware. Eckman is expected to accept a
financial aid package Feb. 4, the first day high school recruits are allowed
to sign binding letters of intent. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The son of Peter and Yvonne Eckman of Shavertown was recruited by
traditional powerhouses, such as Penn State and Temple. But the prestige of
playing in a major conference couldn't lure Eckman away from his desire to
study landscape design at Delaware. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "To be honest, playing soccer wasn't my No. 1 concern," said Eckman. "I
used my soccer ability to help get me into the college of my choice. I'll work
hard and do everything I can for the team, but my priority is to learn about
landscaping." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Eckman has earned many awards during his high school playing days, which
include two seasons each at Wyoming Seminary and Lake-Lehman. He is a
three-time Wyoming Valley Conference Division I all-star and was selected to
the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association all-state team. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But it was another honor - being told by Delaware head coach Mark Samonisky
that he was the Blue Hens' top recruit - that truly grabbed Eckman's
attention. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I always felt that being recruited by any Division I school is a great
honor," he said. "But to find out that you're a school's No. 1 choice is a
tremendous feeling. My goal was to get into a Division I program and be a
starter on the team. I'm on track to do that." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Eckman is expected to earn a starting spot at
forward this fall. He will join a young team that recently completed its
second year of play in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 4-11-5 record.
Last year's roster of 27 players included 16 true freshmen and three redshirt
freshmen. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Eckman, who finished his high school career with 46 goals, made his
official visit to the Newark, Del. campus in October. And he knew right away
he'd found his home for the next four years. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The campus is beautiful," said Eckman, who also plays soccer for the
prestigious FC Delco team in Philadelphia. "The people at the school were
great and the soccer families were very nice to me. I just fell in love with
the place. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's a real nice feeling knowing where I'll be going to school and playing
soccer for the next four years." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Academics Big Factor For Eckman Lehman Star Picks Delaware Because Of His Planned Major, Landscape Design