Bucknell men’s coach John McBride recently announced six new recruits to replace five who graduated in 2012. Five Californians and a Serb have sufficient pedigrees, on paper, to contribute immediately. They are:
- Stefan Aleksic - Belgrade, Serbia/Sport Gymnasium (RAT)
- Nick Hale - Menlo Park, Calif./Menlo School (Utility)
- Jedd Thayer - Balboa Island, Calif./Corona del Mar (Utility)
- Max Wilder - San Francisco, Calif./Menlo-Atherton (Utility)
- Max McKelvy - Portola Valley, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep (Attack)
- Andrew Roberts - Moraga, Calif./Campolindo (Center Defender/Center)
NorCal players are making a mark on recruiting throughout the East Coast this year, and Bucknell has continued the trend with four from CCS and NCS schools. And all five Golden Staters come from exceptional programs - a good sign that they will be capable of replacing the 2012 graduating class. The Serbian comes with a typically impressive European resume but stands to prove he can mesh with his American teammates.
None of the newcomers will be able to replace the loss of well regarded young assistant coach Marty Matthies who, TWp has been told, is leaving Bucknell. Fellow coaches attribute much of Bucknell's success last season to Matthies, who was a standout at Cal and graduated in 2008.