THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 6, 1995 TAG: 9510040243
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Crooks, a senior midfielder at Virginia Wesleyan College, has been playing since he was 5 years old. He took up the game because his mother made him.
``Mom hooked me up,'' Crooks said. ``I was in Florida and I started playing. I moved here when I was 10 and I've been playing in leagues ever since.''
Crooks, a graduate of Great Bridge, is just one piece of the local soccer connection at Virginia Wesleyan. The Marlins roster 11 local players, including six starters. All receive playing time except Virginia Beach's Danny McVey, out for the season with an injury.
Coach Sonny Travis says the South Hampton Roads connection helps him maintain local interest and a high level of talent on the team.
It also enables players to stay close to home while playing a college career.
``I wanted to stay close to home and I liked the atmosphere,'' Crooks said. ``I liked it here when I came to visit.''
The Marlins haven't been hurt by the addition of local talent like Crooks. They began the week with an 8-0-1 record and a No. 12 ranking nationally.
Last year, Virginia Wesleyan advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA Division III tournament and finished second in the South Region after a 1-0 double overtime loss.
Crooks is interested in playing solid defense and working with his teammates to return to the top.
Crooks' role on the team is in the background.
``I'm kind of a playmaker, I guess,'' he said. ``I produce goals. I don't score much, but I produce.''
Aside from that, Crooks works to help incoming players adapt to the challenge of Division III soccer.
``It's good watching them, because you can come back later and watch them develop into better people and better players,'' he said. ``That's what happened to me when I first came here.''
Crooks says he was a ``geek'' when he entered college, but he matured quickly. This season, he has four assists. Last year he had seven goals and 17 assists.
``He's an outstanding player,'' Travis said. ``He gives 100 percent every game. He's one of those players that's a spark plug for us.''
When the season ends, Crooks, like the rest of the team, wants to hold a national championship trophy in his hands.
``Just knowing that we had the best season we possibly could is enough for me,'' Crooks said. ``And winning a national championship.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN
Playing for the Virginia Wesleyan soccer team are, from right: Ryan
Crooks of Chesapeake, Nate Hatcher, Che Clark, and Jimmy Hickling.
by CNB