On Tuesday, May 12, 2015, Wissahickon seniors Shane Fallen and Devon Memis were recognized at a news conference for committing to play soccer at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please click on the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/g/051215_signings_4_mjs#l_img_2447_59_23_12
Shane Fallen – Westminster College (Soccer)
Major: Criminal Justice
Final list of colleges: Westminster, York, Philadelphia University, DeSales
Reasons for choosing Westminster: “I just really liked the campus and the atmosphere, and the coaches seemed to know what they were doing.”
What was the progression that led you to playing soccer at the collegiate level? “It was always an idea to play soccer in college. I just didn’t really know what I wanted to do – whether I wanted to try and go to a serious (soccer) school or go to a D-3 school and have more of an experience. I really liked the idea of going to a D-3 school where everyone is going to be there, nothing is going to change. I liked that there’s consistency to it. In D-3, you get the soccer experience, but you also get the school experience itself.”
Coach Stuart Malcolm: “Shane is basically a left-sided player. He played midfield for us, and as the season went on, he actually went back and was in a defensive role, so by the time we were halfway through his senior season, he was playing left back for us because of his speed and strength. He’s got a good engine on him. He’s able to get up and down the field, so he became an attacking threat even though he was primarily a defensive player for us on the back line.”
About Shane:
Favorite food: Kielbasa
Favorite movie: Blind Side
Favorite music: Hip Hop
Devon Memis – Philadelphia University (Soccer)
Major: English
Reasons for choosing Philly U: “I previously played for the assistant coach, Will Thornton. He was my ODP coach for a year, and we had a pretty good time. We ended up winning regionals that year, and we took an international trip, so I was in England with him for a week. The other coaches – they’re just top class guys. The head coach (Ptah Myers) – a few years ago when I was in elementary school and middle school, I was actually watching him on the KiXX, he used to play on the KiXX. It was pretty cool that a guy I was watching play is going to be my coach.
“I looked at all the Philadelphia schools – Drexel, Penn, St. Joe’s, and the atmosphere at Philadelphia University was different. Everybody was friendly, everybody seemed like they come together real nicely. I just felt at home there.”
What was the progression that led you to playing soccer at the collegiate level? “I started playing soccer when I was four, and my dad coached me for the first few years. He started playing when he was in seventh grade, so he didn’t have too much of a background, but that started becoming the sport for me in middle school and definitely in high school. I was playing other sports, but they didn’t really favor the smaller guys. I turn on the TV, and I watch Barcelona and (Lionel) Messi, and these guys are 5-6, 5-7 and 5-8, and they’re the best in the world. When people say you have to be real big – well, in soccer you don’t because the ball is on the ground. I’m the closest to the ball. From that aspect, I was always in the game. I never felt like a misfit.”
Coach Stuart Malcolm says: “Devon was a unique situation. Unfortunately, he got injured his junior and senior years. Both years he came back just prior to playoffs. He was still coming back to fitness as we went through the season. He contributed a lot his freshman and sophomore years. He’s a very motivated player on the field when he got back to playing, and we were pleased to have him back. Unfortunately for him, I don’t think we saw the best of him in the final two years that he would have wanted also. He was a great inspiration on the field, a great leader on the field. He really knows the game very well.”
About Devon:
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite movie: Rudy
Favorite music: Rap/Hip Hop – Meek Mill
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