University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Signee Named State Gatorade Player of the Year
May 10, 2011 | Men's Soccer
May 10, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis men's soccer signee Chandler Gagnon was named the Gatorade Tennessee Boys Soccer Player of the Year, his second year in a row receiving the award.
"We're very happy for Chandler," said Memphis head coach Richie Grant. "We've been out watching his games and he's having a fantastic season. It's a very well-deserved award for a player of his caliber and character."
The Gatorade award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field.
Gagnon has maintained a 3.30 GPA and is a member of his local Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.
The senior midfielder led Evangelical Christian School to a 13-0-3 record, scoring 21 goals and adding 11 assists for the Eagles.
"We have big plans for Chandler next fall," said Grant. "It's a testament to the program that talented players like he and Mark Sherrod (2009 Gatorade Player of the Year) would choose Memphis; it's a positive sign that the best players in the state are choosing Memphis."
The award continues a decorated career for the Memphis native; in addition to his two State Player of the Year awards, Gagnon was also recognized as the Commercial Appeal's Best of the Preps Player of the Year in 2010, as well as being named a 2010 ESPN RISE First-Team All-American.
Gagnon will arrive is the jewel of what is one of the most decorated signing classes in Memphis history this fall. The 31st-ranked player in the country by the most recent TopDrawerSoccer.com player rankings, Gagnon is widely thought of as one of the top players in the south. He will return to Europe, this summer, to tour the country against some of Europe's finest players.
"Chandler went (to Europe) last summer and said it really helped him a lot," Grant said. "The proof is in his development since then. We're very conscious of our player's summer plans, and we think this is a great fit for him."
