After a BIG EAST regular season title and an appearance in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, head coach Paul Snape and the Butler coaching staff have added eight standouts to the 2018 roster. In January, TopDrawerSoccer.com ranked Butler's recruiting class ninth in the country.

"This may be the deepest, and most versatile recruiting class we've put together in our seven years at Butler," said Snape. "This class has an abundance of quality, ability, experience, and most importantly, genuine character! Some of these young men will be asked to contribute right away on the soccer field, while a few of them will be given additional time to adjust to the intensity and pace of the college game.

"This class is full of inspirational leaders who will strive to achieve exceptional high standards both in the classroom and on the soccer field. We truly believe that this talented group of players will leave a legacy as one of the most successful classes in the history of the Butler Men's Soccer Program!"



Louie Bulger, Tokyo, Japan/William Mason High School (Ohio)
Originally from Tokyo, Bulger played his prep career in Ohio with the Columbus Crew SC Academy. The defender helped lead his team to an appearance in the academy playoffs two years in a row. He was also named captain. During his academic career, Bulger received three-straight Principal Awards.

Bulger on choosing Butler: "Butler is an upcoming exciting team and I believe that I can make a history there. Great coaching staff, great academics, I feel that everything we need is here for this to happen."



Eric Conerty, Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central High School
As a forward for Forest Hills Central, Conerty helped lead his team to an overall record of 34-5-4. As a senior, he posted 40 goals and 12 assists and was named First Team All-State, First Team All-American, and to the All-Conference, All-District, and All-Region Team. Conerty currently holds the record for most goals by a freshman with 20 and the best goal per game ratio. As a member of the Columbus Crew Academy, Conerty helped lead his team to a 54-10-2 overall record. As a student, Conerty recorded high academic honors during his four years.

Conerty on choosing Butler: "I chose Butler because they give me the opportunity to continue my soccer career as well as my academic career at a top notch university. Butler allows me to thrive in both athletics and academics which are extremely important to me."



Griffin DeBolt, Westerville, Ohio/Olentangy Orange High School
DeBolt spent his club career playing for Columbus Crew SC Academy. The center back was invited to the U15 and U17 Men's National Team Camp and also received an invitation to the Men's U17 National Team Residency program. Off the field, DeBolt was a member of the National Honor Society and Vice President of the Business Club.

DeBolt on choosing Butler: "I chose Butler because it checked all the boxes for what I'm looking for both academically and athletically. I loved the size and feel of the campus along with the renowned business and internship programs. Most of all I loved the team atmosphere and coaching staff. I'm excited to be a part of a rising soccer program that will help me develop as a player and compete at the highest level."



Gabriel Gjergji, Vizenza, Italy/Montverde Academy
In his native Italy, Gjergji starred for Club SIMA. The goalie finished his prep career at Montverde Academy in Florida, playing for coach Mike Potempa, who previously coached at Clemson as the Tigers advanced to the 2005 College Cup.

Gjergji on choosing Butler: "Besides offering a top business education, the soccer team is getting stronger every year and I know that we all can do big things at Butler, academically and in soccer."



Brendan Hicks, Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista High School
Hicks starred for the SC Del Sol club program, helping lead the team to two state championships, a National Premier League semi-finalist and a two-time regional quarter-finalist. As a three-year starter for his high school team, Hicks was team captain and selected as a two-time MVP. He was also named to the All City First Team. An accomplished student, Hicks was a member of the National Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and Rho Kappa Honor Society. He also received the Arizona Republic Sports Award for High Achiever and the Arizona Interscholastic Association Scholar-Athlete Award.

Hicks on choosing Butler:  "Butler has exactly what I was looking for - strong traditions, excellent academics, a commitment to athletics, and a coaching staff that is not only focused on developing me as a player, but as an individual. In addition, the opportunity to play for a Top 20 program and contend each year for the Big East Championship coupled with strong academics including the ability to do two business internships convinced me that Butler was the right choice."



Eric Hollenkamp, Columbus, Ind./Columbus North High School
Hollenkamp was a three-year starter for his high school and named a team captain. The midfielder was also named team MVP. Hollenkamp played his prep career with Westside United and Indiana Fire Academy U18/19. An accomplished student, Hollenkamp was named academic all-state, a two-time academic letter winner, and a member of the National Honor Society.

Hollenkamp on choosing Butler: "I chose Butler because everything felt perfect. Butler had everything I was looking for in a school as well as in a soccer program. The school will challenge me in the classroom and the coaches left no doubt in my mind that they would make me the best player I could be as well as develop me as a person."



Logan Lee, Fort Wayne, Ind./Canterbury School
As a midfielder for the Canterbury School, Lee helped lead the team to an overall record of 33-5-3, two sectional championships and one regional championship. Lee was named second-team all-state, and first-team all-district, city and region. Academically, Lee is a three-time member of the honor roll.

Lee on choosing Butler: "Butler fits my needs perfectly: a small school, with a big school feel. Close to a big city, and also not too far from home, Butler fulfills my other desires from my checklist. Having been around the coaching staff a lot I felt a very good connection with them as well. After meeting the players, who act more like a family, and being on such a friendly campus, I had no choice but to pick Butler."



Jack Streberger, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./Grosse Point North
As an outside back for his club team Vardar Academy, he captained a team that won the 2014 NPL Regional Championship and the 2015 Michigan StateCup Championship. Streberger was a member and team captain of the 2017 Coerver Academy team that was a quarterfinalist in the Sweden Gothia Cup. As a student, Streberger maintained a 3.8 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Streberger on choosing Butler: "I chose Butler University to be a part of a tight knit community that values exceptional education and athletic excellence."