ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's soccer coach Steve Burns announced today (Thursday, Feb. 14) the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the upcoming 2008 season: goalkeeper Tim Bergsma(Beverly Hills, Mich./Southfield Christian), defender Jarrett Kerr(Northfield, Ill./ New Trier) and midfielder Alexander Klein(Seattle, Wash./The Bush School).

"The players in this class all possess championship character and ability," said Burns. "While we return a strong team -- 10 of 11 starters -- I expect this class to add to our chemistry and hunger for success. They are well prepared for the high athletic and academic challenges of being student-athletes at Michigan."

A four-year letterwinner at Southfield Christian, Bergsma led the Eagles to the 2007 Michigan high school Division 4 regional championship. During his junior and senior seasons he garnered first team all-state honors. In other sports, Bergsma is a four-year letterwinner in basketball and three-year letterwinner in baseball. As a junior he was named a first team all-stater in baseball before he decided to focus on soccer. Off the field Bergsma is a member of National Honor Society and student body vice president. He plays his club soccer for Andy Wagstaff's Bloomfield Force.

"Bergsma has the potential to become a top Division I collegiate goalkeeper," said Burns. "He's a great all-around athlete, an exceptional shot stopper, and as brave as they come. Bergsma is a very motivated guy that is hungry and desperate to make his mark on our team."

A three-year letterwinner at New Trier High School, Kerr was instrumental in leading the Trevians to the 2006 Illinois Class AA state championship. As a junior and senior he garnered first team all-conference and all-region honors. During the 2007 season he was nominated to the Chicago Tribune's all-state team. Kerr played his club soccer for the Rockford Raptors from 2005-07, and his teams were 2007 Illinois State Cup finalists and USYSA Region II finalists. He is a five-year (2003-07) member of the Illinois Olympic Development Program (ODP) team and currently plays for the Chicago Fire Academy.

"Jarrett has the cunning instincts of a great defender," said Burns. "He is a student of the game who rarely puts a foot wrong and is very quick and tenacious in the tackle. I expect Jarrett to be a valuable addition to our experienced back line."

Klein attends the Bush School in Seattle, Wash., where he was named a first team all-district and all-region player in 2006. He plays his club soccer for Crossfire Premier's U18 U.S. Soccer Academy team, coached by Bernie James. As captain, his Crossfire team has claimed six state championships, seven WSYSA league championships and three Super Y-League divisional championships. Klein was a member of the 2005 U.S. Nike Manchester United Cup championship and 2005 World Nike Manchester United Cup quarterfinalist team, the first U.S. team to advance this far. Individually he has been a three-time participant in the Super Y-League National Select team and a three-year player in the Washington State ODP program. Outside of soccer Klein has been a three-year letterman on his golf team.

"Klein has a box-to-box presence and brings guile and soccer intelligence to our team out in the flank," said Burns. He is an accelerator of the game, a guy who can create because he sees things develop very quickly. Klein is incredibly dedicated, shows a strong determination to succeed, and has an aptitude for hard work -- all great characteristics of a "Michigan Man."

Contact: Stacey Schwartz (734) 763-4423