EXPLOSIVE and fast. Smart and calculating. Controlled and smooth. Any of these could be used to summarize the exciting athletic talents of Virgil Cannon. The Irving, Texas native was a player who could defeat you with raw talent or with technical superiority. He used his God-given ability to be the best soccer player he could be while developing into the consummate team player. Virgil was always concerned for his teammates' success as he was for his own.

NUMEROUS honors and awards highlighted his brilliant four-year career at John Brown University. Selected to the NAIA All-America second team as sophomore, he was injured for most of his junior season, but still managed to be the first athlete in program history to be named a four-time Sooner Athletic Conference All-Star. In the 2000 season, he helped his team attain a No. 16 ranking in the NAIA coaches' poll and a second-place finish in the Sooner Athletic.

PLAYING primarily as a defender with the responsibility of covering the opponent's most dangerous attacking player, Virgil cruised the field with stealth and cunning until the time was right to strike. Although he was known for his fair play and even-tempered disposition, he could run opponents down from 30 yards away and tackle with power and strength. When playing man-to-man, his quick, rapier-like tackles would dislodge the ball from attacking players with surgical precision. His offensive abilities were not kept under wraps for very long, either. He loved to support the attack and capitalized on opportunities to dribble through the midfield and shoot hard on goal.

IN addition to his notable soccer talents, he was twice voted by his teammates to receive the annual sportsmanship award. Virgil excelled in the classroom as he did on the field, graduating with honors in electrical engineering. A mature individual, centered in Christ, Virgil set a high standard for all Golden Eagles who will follow.