Men's Soccer Signs Two More to National Letters of Intent 3/24/03

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt men’s soccer head coach Tim McClements received two more commitments for the 2003 season, as goalkeeper Conor Ellinger (St. Louis, Mo./Chaminade) and forward Curt Hinds (Charleston, Ill./Charleston) signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Commodores. With the additions of Ellinger and Hinds, McClements has now signed 10 players to National Letters of Intent. McClements already has five players from the state of Texas and three from Oklahoma signed.

For a biography and a quote from McClements on each recruit, please read below.

Conor Ellinger
Goalkeeper
St. Louis, Mo. • Chaminade

High School: Member of Chaminade H.S. School soccer team which won the Missouri State Championship in 2001 and 2002 … Squad finished with a high school national ranking in the top 10 in both 2001 and 2002 … Recorded an amazing 51-0-3 record in goal from his sophomore through senior seasons … Finished 2002 season with an amazing 0.25 goals against average … Earned All-State, All-Region and All-District honors in 2002 … Named Great Midwest Classic Most Valuable Player.

Club: Currently plays for the Bush Soccer Club.

Personal: Conor Leo James Ellinger born February 6, 1985 ... Conor is one of Jean and Edwin Ellinger’s two children ... Member of the Honor Roll from 1999-2002 ... Sports Editor of Chaminade High School’s school newspaper … Conor lists pre-medicine as his possible major at Vanderbilt ... Conor’s father was a goalkeeper at the St. Louis University … Was also recruited by such schools as St. John’s, Notre Dame, St. Louis, Cornell, Dartmouth, Michigan State and Ohio State.

Comment on Ellinger from Vanderbilt head coach Tim McClements
"Conor is a goalkeeper with great size and physical tools. At 6'4", Conor is very dominant in the air, yet he is also an excellent shot stopper. He comes from an excellent soccer background, and we are very excited about his potential."

Curt Hinds
Forward
Charleston, Ill. • Charleston High School

High School: Named two-time Illinois All-State recognition by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) ... Earned NSCAA All-Midwest Recognition ... Named Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002 by the Decatur Herald & Review ... Tallied an amazing 96 goals and 74 assists for 266 points over his high school career, which is a school record ... Singles-season record holder at Charleston with 40 goals and 32 assists for 102 points ... High school team captain his senior season ... Charleston squad made it to the Illinois State quarterfinals on two occasions ... Team finished with a 66-8-7 record over his four seasons.

Club: Currently plays for the Metro Football Club in Edwardsville, Ill. ... Member of the '84 Illinois State Olympic Development team, which won the Region III Tournament.

Personal: Curt Allen Hinds born September 30, 1984 ... Curt is one of Vicky and Gary Hinds' two children ... Member of the National Spanish Honor Society and the Honor Roll ... Recognized by Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire as a honorable mention academic all-state selection ... Was also recruited by New Mexico, Dartmouth and Marquette.

Comment on Hinds from Vanderbilt head coach Tim McClements
"Curt is a forward who also has the ability to make and impact out wide in the midfield. He is a very quick and tricky player who has excellent work rate. His work ethic will cause problems for next years opponents."