Sockers Prosper in Draft : Selections Include SDSU’s Whittemore, North Carolina Star

Donald Cogsville had experienced an off night.

Kyle Whittemore had gone fishing.

So Socker Coach Ron Newman emerged nothing short of ecstatic from Saturday’s Major Indoor Soccer League amateur draft in Wichita, Kan., where the Sockers made five selections, including three high school players, two from San Diego.

Cogsville, a North Carolina forward who was the Sockers’ first selection and the seventh pick overall, didn’t turn in a dazzling performance during a college all-star game on the eve of the draft. That was lucky for Newman.

“I think that allowed us to get him,” said Newman, who says Cogsville has good mobility and is very polished. “I thought he was the outstanding player, but I didn’t think we’d get him. He didn’t have such a good game in front of the general public.”

Whittemore, whose 68 goals made him San Diego State’s all-time leading scorer, decided not to participate in the game because of a previous commitment to work on a fishing boat in Alaska. For a player who was the most valuable player of the Senior Bowl, Whittemore went fairly low, 20th.

According to SDSU Coach Chuck Clegg, Whittemore, a forward, has played well during his limited exposure to indoor soccer.

“I’m hoping he’ll adapt,” Newman said. “I think he’s quick enough, and I think he’s got the skills. He’s an aggressive player, and he doesn’t mind taking a few knocks.”

Whittemore graduated in December and worked in Seattle before recently moving back to San Diego and then taking off for Alaska. To play in the MISL, he will likely have to take a pay cut.

“I think that Kyle has the physical and mental tools to play in the MISL,” Clegg said. “Kyle is the best player we’ve had at San Diego State. The problem is that Kyle will probably make more money in the private work force than he will playing soccer.”

The other players selected by the Sockers Saturday were Troy Dyack (23) of Livermore High School in Livermore and locals Ankist Zadeyan (27) of La Jolla High and Yari Allnut (31) of University City.

USD midfielder Chris Duke was selected in the third round by Kansas City, 17th overall.

Socker Notes

Ron Newman has been offered his choice of a two- or three-year contract, which he said he will decide on and sign by early this week. Newman said he wasn’t offered as much money as he requested. “I understand that the league is in a rebuilding situation,” he said. “Winning seven championships in eight years should make me a millionaire. It doesn’t. If I was in any other sport, I would be.”