OLIVER KIMOKEO | sports editor

The following thoughts swirled through my mind as the news broke last Friday of Cougar soccer senior forward Steven Lenhart getting drafted by the Columbus Crew in the MLS SuperDraft. The Crew made Lenhart the 48th overall selection in the draft.

Thought No. 1: There’s actually a MLS SuperDraft? With all due respect to the growing American soccer league but there is nothing super about the MLS SuperDraft. There are only four rounds and 52 selections. Compare that to the 2007 NFL Draft with seven rounds and 255 selections. And the 2007 MLB Draft had 51 rounds and 1453 selections. Now that’s a SuperDraft. Stop kidding yourself, MLS, learn to be humble, and understand that you have a long way to go before you can consider yourself super in the echelon of professional sports drafts.

Thought No. 2: The Crew drafted not one NAIA player but two. No other team dared to draft even one NAIA player in the so-called SuperDraft. Columbus, coming off three playoff misses, is looking for any edge they could find, including dipping into the NAIA talent pool. Perhaps Lenhart is the missing piece for the Crew to earn a MLS Cup.

Thought No. 3: No one except the Crew expected Stev-o to be drafted in the MLS SuperDraft. I am still trying to contemplate the vision of Lenhart as a professional soccer player. Lenhart seems like a guy who plays soccer just for the love of the game. A professional structure may not allow him that zone.

Thought No. 4: Lenhart did not anticipate being involved with playing competitive soccer beyond APU. Contemplate his quote on receiving the honor.

“I haven’t really had time to sit down and think about it,” Lenhart said. “I never thought I would play professional soccer, but it would definitely be cool for my future to try to pave a new road and do something different.”

I love this quote—it’s totally noncommittal. Lenhart is basically telling the Crew that he’ll make the call when he’s ready. Brilliant move. Do it on your own terms in your own way. That’s the way it has to be.

Lenhart has been one of my favorite Cougar players. He is a magnificent forward who does not hide behind his personality both on-and-off the field. His headers and bicycle kicks were the stuff of legends and his easy-going demeanor kept his teammates loose all season long.

I had the pleasure to interview Lenhart on several occasions last season covering the men’s soccer team for The Clause. He is a very friendly person with a positive spirit and he always greeted me with a smile. He respectfully answered all of my questions with no hesitation and he never took credit for his own accomplishments, always throwing the accolades to his teammates.

Lenhart is the quintessential Cougar soccer player: a man who undeniably demonstrates “My God, My Team, Myself.”