Chargers' Shinn will play soccer for SMU

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two-time all-state soccer player Ricky Shinn of Pearl City High School has accepted a scholarship offer from Southern Methodist University and will be the third player from Hawai'i to be taken by SMU's top-20 programs in two years.

Iolani graduate Duke Hashimoto, the state's boys Player of the Year in 2001, was the Mustangs' co-second-leading scorer last year with 17 points and was chosen by Missouri Valley Conference coaches to their all-newcomer team.

Punahou's Adria Campbell, this year's Hawai'i high school girls Player of the Year, has accepted a non-scholarship invitation to play on the SMU women's team.

"The opportunity to play Division I is unreal," the 6-foot Shinn said. "It's a prestigious program and there are high expectations, so to be there is an honor."

SMU's men finished No. 12 in the National Soccer Coaches rankings last season and were as high as No. 7. The women finished No. 20.

The signing of two Hawai'i boys in two years by SMU signals a milestone in recognition of Hawai'i soccer on the Mainland, Hawai 'i Coach of the Year Paul Fu of Pac-Five said.

"Our girls have been sought out for some time, and now they are realizing that we have talented boys, too," Fu said.

Shinn visited the SMU campus in Dallas last weekend and said he liked everything — the teammates he met, the campus and the city of Dallas. "There are a lot of things to do there," he said.

"They gave him a good financial package, better than I expected," Shinn's father, Larry, said.

The scholarship, part for soccer and part of Ricky's academic achievement, was negotiated by Doris Sullivan of the Hawai'i Athletic Preparatory Academy.