Jan. 18, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB forward Dejan Jakovic has been selected to participate in the Canadian National Team training camp, as the squad begins early preparations for the 2010 World Cup. The Canadian National Team is in the early stages of its preparations and has invited the country's top players for the camp.

Jakovic is the first UAB player to reach this level of play, according to UAB head coach Mike Getman.

"I am very excited for Dejan," Getman said. "He is a special player who has worked hard to reach this level. We have never had a player reach this level of play before, so it is very exciting for him and the UAB program. I know he will represent himself and our University well."

Jakovic has earned this type of recognition during his three seasons at UAB. The rising senior is coming off a standout campaign in which he was tabbed to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) first-team All-Region. Jakovic, who was tabbed as a first-team all-region honoree in each of the last two years, is just the third UAB soccer two-time first-team recipients to be honored by the NSCAA. The Etibicoke, Ontario native is also one of eight players in UAB men's soccer history to have earned first-team all-region honors.

Despite battling injuries throughout the season, Jakovic finished the '07 campaign leading UAB in goals (6) and points (13). Jakovic showed the type of player he can be when healthy, as he paced the Blazers to a victory at then-No. 10 Indiana (Sept. 21). In that contest, Jakovic accounted for two goals en route to the 2-1 upset win over the Hoosiers.

Jakovic, who was one of 29 players selected to the preseason MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, also earned a spot on the 2007 first-team All-Conference USA team, marking the second straight year he garnered a spot on the league's first team and the third time in three seasons he was tabbed All-C-USA (earned second team accolades as a freshman).