by Steve Wilmoth
TriCitiesSports.com
February 3, 2010

Dobyns-Bennett two-time all-state soccer player David Geno holds the Tribe school record for scoring with 74 goals - and he's not yet played his senior season.

Geno's skills attracted early attention from college scouts and on Wednesday, just weeks before his final campaign with the Indians, Geno signed on to continue his soccer career in 2011 with East Tennessee State University.

The Bucs' beat out other suitors that included UNC-Greensboro, King and Appalachian State for the services of Geno.

"ETSU is getting a great player, but more importantly a great young man," said new Dobyns-Bennett soccer coach Chris Woods. "David is a three-year all-conference player and also has 50 assists in his career."

Woods noted that Geno has put more focus on soccer in the Northeast Tennessee area with his participation in an elite program.

"David has spent five years with the Olympic Development Program in the state of Tennessee and that's been great for publicity about our area in the sport," explained Woods.

It was with that program where Geno first met who would eventually become his college coach at ETSU, Scott Calabrese.

"It's a perfect fit really," said Geno of ETSU. "It's still close to home and I got a chance to play on the ODP under their head coach a few years back and I loved his style of coaching."

Geno also said a newly implemented academic program at ETSU was a factor in his decision.

"I'm kind of looking into their new sports performance program so I think there's a good opportunity there," Geno said.

The Tribe's Woods believes Geno is ready for the next level.

"David represents Dobyns-Bennett well as a student athlete and I believe he'll do the same at ETSU."