>>07.23.04
UTD All-American Playing Pro Soccer
Trent Abbott continuing career in hometown

University of Texas at Dallas soccer All-American Trent Abbott is continuing his soccer career with the DFW Tornados, a semipro team in the Premier Development League of the United Soccer Leagues.

The Tornados play their home games at Pennington Field in Bedford, TX; the same field Abbott played on as a high school star at Euless (TX) Trinity HS.

Abbott was a standout for the UTD Comets, winning NCAA Division III after his 2003 senior season. He was also the UTD Athlete of the Year, as well as a two-time All-American Southwest Conference Academic team selection. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 2003.

"The academic reputation UTD has is true,” Abbott told the Dallas Morning-News. “I wondered what it would have been like to have played at a bigger-name college, but it all turned out good.”

Because of injuries to other players, Abbott was able to get starting time with the Tornados almost immediately. Though his time has been reduced with the return of the injured players, Abbott's coaches have been very complimentary of his attitude and work ethic.

"Trent has composure and discipline. His future is fine ,” Tornados coach Bernard Brodigan told the Morning-News.

Abbott isn't making a lot of money playing semipro soccer - he only receives food and travel expenses and still lives at home with his parents. He also works parttime at a clothing store.

"You have to make sacrifices,” he said. "But I still want to be playing at a high level for as long as I can.”