Dejan Jakovic Named To 2007 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List

Jakovic one of just eight juniors tabbed to the 29-man list

Aug. 8, 2007

D. Jakovic: MAC Hermann Trophy Candidate

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Junior midfielder/forward Dejan Jakovic is among the 29 players who are included in the Men's 2007 Missouri Athlletic Club's Hermann Trophy Watch List released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) on August 8. Players are selected to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List by a committee of Division I coaches who are NSCAA members.

At 6-2, 175 pounds, Jakovic, who is one of only eight juniors on the 29-man list, has the size, strength and skill to control play and distribute from the midfield position. UAB head coach Mike Getman feels Jakovic is not only one of the most versatile players he ever coached, but possibly one of the best to ever wear the Green and Gold.

"This is a great honor and Dejan is very deserving to have his name listed among the top players in college soccer," Getman said. "Dejan has played a number of positions and is one of the most versatile players we have ever had at UAB. He is big, skilled, athletic, confident and works very hard. He truly has all the qualities you want in a central midfielder. He is just a top quality soccer player who can really do whatever he wants to on the soccer field."

During his sophomore season, Jakovic helped lead the Blazers to a 10-6-4 record and an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. He went on to earn First-Team All-Midwest Region accolades, as well as First-Team All-Conference USA honors. With his selection to the all-region squad, Jakovic became the eighth player in program history to earn First-Team All-Midwest Region honors.

The Etobicoke, Ontario native showed his versatility last season, playing strictly in the defense the first half of the season, before moving to midfield over the last portion of UAB's schedule. The impact was felt immediately by looking at UAB's record before and after Jakovic's position change. Prior to the switch, the Blazers were struggling to find an identity, going 6-4-2. However, after Getman made the change, the Blazers surged into an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament, dropping only two of their final 10 contests.

For his career, Jakovic has played and started 35 contests, accounting for two goals and four assists during his standout career.

In November, the list will be narrowed to 15 semifinalists. Three finalists will be named in early December in conjunction with the NCAA Division I College Cup and will be invited to the Missouri Athletic Club on Friday, January 11, 2008. The winner of the 2007 award will be announced during a nationally-televised news conference that evening.

2007 Men's Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Watch List
As selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)

Pos. Name Class School Hometown
K Matt Allen Sr. Creighton Omaha, Neb.
M Eric Avila Jr. UCSB Encinitas, Calif.
D Rhett Bernstein Jr. Brown San Diego, Calif.
D Eric Brunner Sr. Ohio State Dublin, Ohio
F Byron Dacy Jr. Creighton Omaha, Neb.
F Patrick Figueiredo Jr. Adelphi Compinas, Brazil
F Kevin Forrest Sr. Washington Edmonds, Wash.
F Juan Gavaria Sr. St. Peter's Elizabeth, N.J.
M Tom Gray Sr. Monmouth Middletown, N.J.
M Bruno Guarda Jr. SMU Piracicaba, Brazil
D David Horst Sr. Old Dominion Pine Grove, Pa.
D Andy Iro Sr. UCSB Liverpool, England
F Saidi Isaac Sr. Winthrop Eldoret, Kenya
M Dejan Jakovic Jr. UAB Etobicoke, Ontario
D Julius James Sr. Connecticut Maloney Gardens, Trinidad
F George Josten Sr. Gonzaga Idaho Falls, Idaho
M Stephen King Sr. Maryland Medford, N.J.
F Joseph Lapira Sr. Notre Dame Lake Charles, La.
M Peter Lowry Sr. Santa Clara Fair Oaks, Calif.
M Travis MacKenzie Sr. Duquesne Carnegie, Pa.
M Ryan Maduro Sr. Providence Bristol, R.I.
F Patrick Nyarko Jr. Virginia Tech Kumasi, Ghana
F Yannick Reyering Jr. Virginia Mettingen, Germany
M David Roth Sr. Northwestern St. Louis, Mo.
D Andre Sherard Sr. North Carolina Greenville, N.C.
M Eric Sweetin Jr. Saint Louis Kansas City, Mo.
D Julian Valentin Sr. Wake Forest Lancaster, Pa.
D Rob Valentino Sr. San Francisco Cave Creek, Ariz.
M Michael Videira Sr. Duke Milford, Mass.