Bowling Green State University Athletics
Aldridge Inks Contract with Beijing Hongdeng FC
February 11, 2008 | Men's Soccer
Feb. 11, 2008
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Men's soccer alumnus Omari Aldridge (2002-2005) has signed a full season contract to play for the Beijing Hongdeng FC. The eight-month contract will begin in March and will run through October, 2008.
"This will be a terrific life experience for him," said head coach Fred Thompson. "The opportunities ahead of him and the challenges he'll face will mold him like nothing else can. I have no doubt he will deal with all the challenges in stride and that he will excel. He is a young man of exceptional character."
Beijing Hongdeng is a Football Club based in Beijing, China, currently playing in the Chinese Football Association Jia League - the second tier league of the People's Republic of China. It is under the direction of the Chinese Football Association.
"Omari has the tools that can make him a very good professional. Athletically he's tremendous - good size, strong, quick, can jump out of the park and is very fast. He's comfortable playing up top or on either of the flanks and can pass, serve or strike with either foot."
In his final go-round with the Falcons, Aldridge became just the fifth men's soccer player to notch 11 goals in one season and as a result ranks at a tie for eighth in the single season scoring category. Prior to Aldridge's senior campaign the list had not added a student-athlete since Dave Kindl's 11 goal tear in 1996.
During that 2005 season, Aldridge also converted the game winning goal at Mickey Cochrane as the Falcons picked-up their only MAC win of the 2005 season. On Sept. 26, 2005 he earned MAC Player of the Week status after scoring one goal and contributing one helper in BG's double overtime win over No. 11 Ohio State only to turn around and score twice in the Falcons 3-1 win over Saint Mary's College two days later. At the time, the senior had scored his team leading four goals in three consecutive games. By the end of the season he went on to become the lone Falcon on the All-MAC first team ending a three-season drought in which no one in a BG uniform had earned the distinction.
In 2004 he led BGSU in goals (6) and total points (14) and shots on goals (17) while starting in 18 of the 19 games played. In four years with the Falcons, the forward scored 48 points (21g, 6a) while starting in 58 contests.
Before exhausting his time with the program, the British Columbia native won the Gary V. Palmisano Memorial Award (MVP) on back-to-back occasion and is still only one of four players to do so in their tenure with the program. Neil Ridgway (1981-1983), Steve Klein (1994-1996), and Chris Doré (1998-1999) comprise the remaining three.
After finishing his playing career with the Orange and Brown, Aldridge went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Sport Management from the College of Education in 2006.
"I think it's a testimony to his strength of character that he chose to finish his education before he dove headlong into trying to make it as a pro. Being removed from the daily training environment can make it extremely difficult to keep your skills honed. Omari's commitment speaks for itself.
"Omari always went about his business professionally and respectfully. He knew what he wanted, but was always at the service of the team. At times he had to play outside of his preferred position and each time he did the job exceptionally well."
For those who are bi-lingual and would like to read more on Aldridge's future team, please click here
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