The University of Mississippi Athletics
Danielle Johnson Taken By Sky Blue FC In WPS Draft
1/15/2010 | Soccer
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Ole Miss soccer star Danielle Johnson will carry her brilliant career into the professional ranks, as she was selected in the fourth round by the New Jersey Sky Blue FC in Friday's Women's Professional Soccer Draft.
Johnson, the Rebels' first ever four-time All-SEC performer, was taken with the 35th overall selection by the defending WPS Champions.
"This is honestly a dream come true," Johnson said. "I didn't want to stop playing soccer, so it's really awesome to have an opportunity like this. I never really thought I would get the chance to play professionally, so to come on with the defending champions and be able to play with and against the caliber of players in the WPS is a great opportunity."
"We're all extremely excited for Dee," Ole Miss head coach Steve Holeman said. "We're very proud of her. She's been training for this opportunity and working extremely hard since our season ended. I want to thank the coaching staff of Sky Blue for having the confidence to draft Dee. They won't be disappointed. I think it's great for Ole Miss and great for the Southeastern Conference. Dee's worked incredibly hard for four years. She earned this opportunity and deserves it."
The 5-foot-5 defender from Baton Rouge, La., is the second player in school history to advance to the professional soccer ranks, joining three-time All-SEC Rebel Jennifer Soileau (1997-2000), who played for the WUSA's Philadelphia Charge. Ironically, Johnson and Soileau both came to Ole Miss from the same hometown and the same high school (Parkview Baptist).
The laundry list of awards and honors for Johnson during her career includes being the first Rebel to receive All-SEC and All-Region honors all four years. She was a Scholar All-America pick this past season and a Freshman All-America selection in 2006. She started all 81 matches of her career, which are the fourth-most starts by a player in school history.
Formed in 2008, the WPS has quickly become of the top women's professional leagues in the world. Its players include Brazilian sensation Marta and many of the U.S. women's national team players.
