SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Former Fort Lewis College men's soccer standout Jamie Cunningham has signed a professional soccer contract with the Puerto Rico Islanders FC, the club announced on March 31. Cunningham will play for the Islanders for the 2011 NASL season, CRU Club Champions Cup and, eventually, the CONCACAF Champions League.

“We are very excited with Cunningham's signing,” said Islanders assistant coach Adrian Whitbread. “He is a young defender that will bring depth to our roster. He worked very hard during pre-season and earned a spot on our team, and will now fight for a starting position.”

“I am very honored to be representing one of the best franchises in the NASL and I'm very happy in Puerto Rico,” said Cunningham. “The hard work in pre-season is almost over and I am excited to get on with the season and help the Puerto Rico Islanders towards another championship.”

“Jamie has worked extremely hard since his arrival at Fort Lewis College in 2006 to get to where he is today and knowing him, I am sure he will continue to strive to get better and continue to move up in the professional game,” said FLC head coach Oige Kennedy. “He has shown in the past few years a willingness to learn and add to his game and I think he has all the tools that a top central defender needs. He wins the ball in the air, he is very quick, he is powerful in the tackle and reads the game well. I know that he will fight to make an impact for the Islanders, who are one of the top franchises in the NASL with a great tradition of winning.

“It is a great recognition for our team and program that we are continuing to send players into the professional game,” Kennedy added. “Jamie has been able to graduate with his degree and is in the perfect position to chase his dream of becoming a professional soccer player. I think it also shows our future players and recruits that Fort Lewis College can give you the correct foundation that you need in the classroom and on the field — that we can help prepare you for an opportunity to play soccer at the next level while already having secured a solid education.”

Cunningham, age 23, spent part of the spring a trial with Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer. His performance in the MLS training camp opened doors for the contract with Puerto Rico.

The 6-foot-2 defender is one of the most decorated student-athletes in Fort Lewis College history. He was part of FLC's 2009 NCAA Division II championship team and earned Daktronics All-America accolades the past two years for the Skyhawks. He was an honorable mention All-American in 2010 after being named to the All-America second team in 2009.

He was also a two-time Daktronics first team All-Central Region selection, a member of the RMAC All-Tournament Team four times from 2007-10 and a four-time RMAC All-Academic award winner. He was chosen by league coaches as the 2010 RMAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and was a member of the 2008 and 2010 Preseason All-RMAC teams.

During his four-year Skyhawk career, Cunningham appeared in 83 matches and earned a starting assignment 80 times. He amassed 39 career points on 17 goals and five assists.

The 2010 USSF D-2 champion Islanders will begin their 2011 NASL season on April 9 when they face Carolina at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The CFU Championship will initiate in Puerto Rico on April 23, when they will face Walking Boyz Co. of Surinam.

The Islanders will have their home opener on April 26 against the NSC Minnesota Stars at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, also known as “La Islandera.”