Byars signs with Oklahoma City Energy

CHICKASHA -USAO graduate and former student- athlete Bryan Byars is continuing his soccer playing days at the next level as he signs to play with local semi-pro squad Oklahoma City Energy FC.

Byars, who graduated last December from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and was a four-year starting goalkeeper for the Drovers, set the NAIA shutout career record at 46, beating the previous mark of 44 that was set back in 1991.

Along with the shutout record he was named Sooner Athletic Conference All-Academic team member in 2014, 2013 NSCAA All-Southwest Region Player, 2012 NAIA All-American Honorable mention, 2012 Sooner Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and was named to the All-Conference team all four seasons at USAO.

Oklahoma City Energy FC is in their second season of existence in the United Soccer League and is the Major League Soccer affiliate of the Sporting KC.

They will have two road games to begin the season and will have their home opener on April 18 against the Seattle Sounders 2 squad with kick off taking place at 7 p.m. at Taft Stadium in OKC.

Drover Head Coach Jimmy Hampton said he thinks the future is bright for Byars and is proud to see his former goalkeeper at the next level.

"I am very proud of Byars! He is a great young goalkeeper and a great young man," Hampton said. "We are pleased to have had him at USAO as a student athlete for four years, and he left our program a better place than when he arrived."

Along with playing the Energy, Byars is currently the high school varsity boys coach at Chickasha High School and will continue those duties along with playing on the team.

Most OKC Energy games will be broadcasted on YouTube with the chances to follow the season, which began this past Saturday and will continue until mid-September with a total of 28 games on the schedule.

"We are excited to follow his future and wish him all the best," Hampton said.