Sheridan leads Dukes by example

Veteran defender anchors Dukes' backfield

Chris Labzda / senior photographer Senior tri-captain Danny Sheridan will lead the Dukes' defense in 2004.

Walking around campus, you may bump into him. He may be in one of your classes. You even can spot him at D-hall. Danny Sheridan is a typical JMU student, except he plays soccer.

Junior defender Sheridan is a tri-captain on this year’s squad. He will anchor the defense after the graduations of defenders Rob Overton and John Trice. Sheridan now will be looked upon to lead that defense.

"Danny’s a good leader by example," coach Tom Martin said. "[Through] actions on the field, actions in the classroom, actions off the field."

With that leadership, Sheridan is able to control the field and stop plays from happening before they even start.

"He knows the game and he reads it well," senior tri-captain midfielder Denny Fulk said. "So having someone in the back who is vocal to lead the guys in front of you is really important."

Fulk added that Sheridan has played since his freshman year, so his experience will be valuable to the team.

"He tries to — and does a good job of — getting that group to work together in the back," Martin said.

Being a defender is blue-collar work, and defenders are not as recognized as those on offense who get most of the face time scoring goals.

"He is a strong, physical, aggressive, solid defender," Martin said. "[Being a defender is] a very non-marketable role; no statistics, no accolades, no nothing, but you have success winning if you defend well."

Sheridan takes this philosophy to heart.

"My job is basically I just can’t make mistakes," he said. "I’m not a player who is going to do anything that is going to drastically change the game. I just have to stay solid in the back."

And, for Sheridan, it’s all about winning, staying on task and winning.

"We have to stay focused and keep doing the things we know we need to do to win," he said.

Sheridan is not just at JMU to play soccer. He is a business marketing major and currently carries a 3.4 grade-point average while practicing nearly two hours every day. But, in true JMU fashion, in between all that, he likes to relax.

"He is tons of fun," Faulk said. "Danny is a good guy. He likes to have a good time."

Currently, Danny is injured with a muscle pull. For precautionary reasons, he has not been practicing.

However, he will be ready for the season opener against St. Joseph’s University Sept. 3, at the JMU/Ramada Inn Invitational Tournament held at the JMU Soccer Complex. The Dukes play at 7:30 p.m.