Head Coach Dave Schureck and the Dayton Flyers received a recent commitment from 6-2, 175lb, GK Scott Balloon from Gainesville, FL. As part of the 2002 incoming class, Balloon brings solid credentials to Dayton and will help fill the vacated goalkeeper slot by current senior Matt Hutchins. Balloon, a team captain and All-Area selection, is currently getting underway for his senior season for Eastside HS, a Division 2A school (4A is the largest) with aspirations of making it to the state tournament. Balloon also plays for the U19 North Florida Express club team as well as the Seminole Ice out of Orlando — a squad that finished State Cup runner-ups in their division over the last two years. A member of the 1984 Florida state ODP team, he brings a wealth of playing experience to to the Flyers and is looking forward to playing for Schureck, a former goalkeeper in his right at Xavier University. Here’s what Scott Balloon had to say about his current situation and his soccer future…

UDP: What colleges were on your short list and what factors put Dayton ahead of all the others in deciding your soccer future?

SB: I was looking at Akron, Ohio State, Ohio Wesleyan, Kentucky, Florida Southern, Virginia Tech, and Mercer University. I liked the campus of Dayton the best out of all the campuses that I saw. Also after I made my official visit I liked the players, and the coaching staff very much. In fact I wasn’t real happy about leaving. When it comes down to it I just felt that I belonged at Dayton, I felt that I fit in very well there. Also the other big deciding factor was that Coach Schureck was also a GK.

UDP: Was there any apprehension about going far away to college? Was it a hard decision to leave Florida and it’s nice weather behind for the cold, rain, and windy Great Lakes region?

SB: NO WAY!!! I am very excited about coming up north. My ideal day would be rainy, or snowy with a high of like 20, cloudy, and windy! If I never have to play another game in the heat I would be fine with that. I love cold weather actually, my whole life I’ve wanted to live up north.

UDP: What are your first impressions of Coach Schureck and his staff and what did they say that sold you on the UD program?

SB: I was very impressed with Coach Schureck. After I found out that he too was a GK I thought that I should definitely go to UD. As far as Coach Tama he seemed to me like he would be a lot of fun to play for. He also picked me up from the airport and assured me that UD was the best place for me to go. I didn’t talk much to Coach Alberto, but he seemed too like he would be a lot of fun to play for. As far as selling me on the program I was sold on it before I even made my official visit. I was just hoping that they were sold on me. The reason I say that is because I made an unofficial visit over the summer with my parents, and after talking with Coach Schureck I knew that I wanted to go there. That was in June I believe, so I knew long before my official visit that I wanted to go to UD.

UDP: Briefly handicap your game. What strengths will you immediately bring to the Flyers and what areas do you see yourself working on between now and next fall?

SB: I am very good at shot blocking, and controlling my defense. I am a very vocal keeper which helps me reduce the number of mistakes that are made in the back. I need to work on my foot work, and cross balls. By foot work I mean like foot speed and staying up on my toes.

UDP: UD’s soccer home, Baujan Field, is a fan and player favorite in the A-10 because of it’s one-of-a-kind location and seating. Is this something you’re are looking forward to and what were your initial impressions of the venue?

SB: Yes, I was very taken by the field. I liked the fact that the field was right in the middle of campus. That way when I make a huge save every one will see it, and some cute girl in class will come up to me and say “nice save, want to go on a date.” I’ll have to tell her yes. Seriously I liked the field a lot and am looking forward to playing on it.

UDP: With warm weather year-round, the state of Florida is just beginning the boys HS soccer season. What is the outlook on your HS team this year and what fine points do you see separating the team from a good and great senior season.

SB: My high school team ended up fifth in the state last year, and we graduated a few seniors, but they didn’t always show up to play when we needed them. This is the best high school team I have ever played on, and we have the potential to make it to the state tournament. On paper we should do very well, and we also have some factors motivating us. This is our head coach’s last season and he has never won a state title. He made it to the final 4 twice, but never into the state final. Secondly the core of the team has been playing together all of their lives, and so we know how each other play inside and out and we all want the state hardware. What will push us to
being great is our coaching staff, and the fact that every single member of the team is hungrier than I have ever seen them in my life.

UDP: What’s the best piece of soccer advice anyone ever gave to you?

SB: Move your feet faster it will help you get to the ball easier.

UDP: Finish this sentence…”Dayton soccer is…”

SB: Dayton soccer is an opportunity to take my game to new levels of play.