February 6, 2000

FURMAN'S ALVAREZ, MARKS DRAFTED BY MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER TEAMS

GREENVILLE, SC -- Furman men's soccer standouts Daniel Alvarez and Seth Marks became the first players in Furman history to be drafted by a Major League Soccer team on Sunday. Alvarez was selected by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in the fourth round while Marks was a fifth round selection of the Dallas Burn.

Furman's all-time leader in assists, Daniel Alvarez was the 37th pick of the draft and the first pick of the fourth round. Alvarez led the nation in assists as a senior with 16 as he helped guide the Paladins a 21-2-1 record and a quarterfinal appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He was a first team All American by the NSCAA and Soccer America as well as a first team NSCAA All-South pick and the Southern Conference player-of-the-year. The MetroStars struggled to a 7-25 in 1999 and had the first overall pick of the draft, which they used to select UCLA defender Steve Shak. Alvarez was the MetroStars second selection in the draft.

Seth Marks, who captained the 1999 Paladin squad, joined Alvarez as a Major League Soccer draftee as he was the 58th overall selection and the tenth pick of the fifth round. Marks, who moved to sweeper for his junior and senior seasons, was instrumental in the Paladins' success in 1999. Marks was an NSCAA second team Scholar Athlete All American for the second straight year in 1999 and was a first team All Southern Conference choice for the second year in a row. Marks joins the Burn roster after showing well at a tryout in January.

Alvarez and Marks were also selected by A-League teams in a draft that followed the MLS Draft. Alvarez was the territorial pick of the Atlanta Silverbacks, while Marks was a second round choice of the New Orleans Storm. The A-League teams hold the players' rights for 14 days if they do not make the MLS roster.

"This is quite an honor for both Daniel and Seth," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "They were two of my first recruits and are two great examples of student-athletes and quality people. I wish them both the best at the next level of soccer."

Major League Soccer spring training runs from February 7-19 in Fort Lauderdale,Fla., while the season begins March 18.