MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University senior punter/kicker Pat McAfee has joined the Mountaineer men’s soccer team and will participate in both squad’s spring practices and fall seasons.

A Plum, Pa., native, McAfee was a three-year first team all-WPIAL performer at Plum High with experience as both a striker and defender. He also competed with several Olympic Development teams in overseas action in Austria and Switzerland while in high school.

“Coach Stewart made the announcement to the team about Jarrett (Brown) and playing multiple sports, so I figured I’d give it a try, too,” McAfee said. “I just started a few days ago and I’m not in soccer shape. I haven’t really played in three years. But I’m hoping it’s like riding a bike and everything will come back to me shortly. I hope I can bring something to the table for the team. We’ll deal with spring season and I’m hopeful for continued success in the fall.”

“I encourage all the kids to enjoy their college experience and if they want to play more than one sport than I’m all for it,” WVU Football Coach Bill Stewart added. “I’m their biggest fan. As long as Pat keeps his priorities straight, academics first and he continues to be a contributing member in the community, then I sincerely wish him the best.”

"He’s naturally very athletic,” WVU Men’s Soccer Coach Marlon LeBlanc said. “You can tell in just the first couple workouts he still has that ability he had coming out of high school and that he’s going to be able to help us. He’s a big, strong kid that just needs to catch up from a fitness, technical and tactical standpoint. But you can tell he’s got a lot of talent.

“We’ll train him as a forward and let him hit the ball at goalkeepers as hard as he can.”

West Virginia’s spring soccer season opens February 17, with its first contest coming against the Pittsburgh River Hounds at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium on Saturday, April 5.

West Virginia’s football spring season opens March 14, with the Gold-Blue Spring game set for Saturday, April 19, at Milan Puskar Stadium.