| Raptors Land 6'8 Force Woldesselassie to Bard July 13, 2010 |
| The Bard Raptors didn't land LeBron James this summer. They didn't need him. Instead, 6'8" strongman Awet Woldesselassie is heading to Annandale-on-Hudson this fall, adding size and skills never before seen at Stevenson Gymnasium to a recruiting class already set to transform the Raptor program. Woldesselassie (also known as Awet Eyob) was profiled in The New York Times last month, described there: "He is 6-foot-8, built like an oak tree, and seems to have mastered a behind-the-back dribble and crisp passes from the corner of his eye." He is the highest-profile recruit from Eritrea since Josef Woldense, the acclaimed Bard center who currently holds the team record for blocked shots in his career. It is clear, however, that Woldesselassie will challenge that and many other records in his years at Bard. Between Woldesselassie and Anton Popov, the Raptors will boast a frontcourt unmatched in school history, both in terms of size and skills. There are dark days ahead for opponents in the Skyline Conference, the Liberty League, and fans of competitive balance the world over. Asked to comment on Bard's imminent domination, Director of Vassar Alumni Relations Cathy Lunn could not be reached, as there is no phone in the 1979 Chevrolet Chevette where she lives. |