Butler head coach Paul Snape has added four newcomers to his 2015 roster as he continues to prepare for the Bulldogs' third season in the BIG EAST Conference. The four players hail from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Dubai, UAE.

Set to join the Bulldogs this fall are Jared Timmer of Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian H.S., John "Jack" Niestrom of Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central H.S., Ryan Clark of Carmel, Ind./Carmel H.S., and Kieran Geldenhuys of Dubai, UAE/Jumeirah English Speaking School.

Butler's 2015 Recruits

Jared Timmer (Unity Christian High School; Hudsonville, Michigan)
Timmer was a four year starter at Unity Christian and was named to the All-State team three of his four years. During his time there as a two-time captain, Unity captured two state titles. He finished his high school career with 55 goals and 61 assists. Timmer plays club soccer for the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors and has won two state cups. He was also a member of the National Championship winning team for the Bloomfield Force's Super 20s in 2013. College Soccer News has ranked Timmer among the top 150 recruits in the nation. In December of 2014, Timmer was selected for, and participated in, the McDonalds High School All American game.

Jared Timmer on choosing Butler:
"The main reasons that I chose Butler are because of the high academic standards and the coaching staff.  I'm very excited to get there to work with the coach's and specifically coach Snape.  I know they will all help me develop to my full potential."

Coach Paul Snape on Timmer:
"Jared is a very talented soccer player who has the potential to become a great college player. He is a well motivated athlete who has achieved a lot of success throughout his entire playing career. He possesses excellent technique, a high level of tactical acumen, and a relentless desire to win. His competitive nature and professional attitude will help us become an elite program in Division I Men's College Soccer. His character both on and the field is a perfect fit for what we look for in a student-athlete at Butler University. Within the next couple of years, I expect Jared to become an inspirational leader who leads us to many championships and titles!"

Kieran Geldenhuys (Jumeirah English Speaking School; Dubai, UAE)
Originally born in South Africa, Geldenhuys grew up and attended High School in Dubai. His high school team won the Middle Eastern interschool football tournament four years running. Each year he was named Captain and Player of the Year. Geldenjuys continued his education in England where he played for Notts County F.C. for the past two years. Among his many club team accomplishments was reaching the final of the Midlands cup in England, and being named Man of the Match in Notts County's only FA Youth Cup game. Geldenhuys also made numerous appearances for the reserves.  

Kieran Geldenhuys on choosing Butler:
"I chose Butler for a combination of soccer and academics. I believe it is one of the top programs in the country and the business school is highly sought after, with the specific program I wanted to study. The decision wasn't a difficult one for me!"

Coach Paul Snape on Geldenhuys:
"Kieran has had an interesting journey to get to Butler. He was born in South Africa, raised in Dubai and cultivated his soccer skills in England. He is a very good athlete who is aggressive, tough and mentally strong. His versatility and soccer intelligence will give us real depth in the back line. His experience of playing in England will bring valuable insight, wisdom and tactical nous to our program. Kieran fully understands the amount of commitment, dedication and sacrifice that is needed for a team to become successful. Kieran is a young man who is full of positive energy and respect. He is loyal, trustworthy, and unselfish; these attributes will bring our team even closer together as unit."

Ryan Clark (Carmel High School; Carmel, Indiana)
Clark attended Carmel High School where he was the starting Varsity Goalkeeper in 2012, earning Hamilton County high honorable mention. From there he moved on to become the starting goalkeeper the last two seasons for the Indiana Fire team in the US Soccer Development Academy league. Ryan has been recognized as one of Top Drawer Soccer's IMG top 150 recruits in the nation. In the classroom, Ryan has been a four year member of the student government, has received the CLASS award as well as the DOW Argo Sciences Leadership Award, and has impressively amassed over 100 hours of community service in his time at Carmel High School.

Ryan Clark on choosing Butler:
"I chose Butler University as the best place for me to develop as both a student and a player. Academics come first and I could not find the opportunities that Butler offered at any other school. From there, the desire for me to attend Butler grew even more after I had a chance to get to know the coaches. I believe their passion for the game is second to none. It was then I knew, I wanted to be a Bulldog."

Coach Paul Snape on Clark:
"Ryan came on the recruiting scene pretty late but the first thing you notice about him is his infectious personality and his enthusiasm for life. He is a soccer junkie who lives and breathes the game. His development over these past twelve months as a goalkeeper has been hugely impressive. He is tall, athletic, agile, and has a real presence in the goal. He is very coachable young man who is always looking to improve. I am delighted that Ryan will be able to learn, train and compete with our other two very talented goalkeepers. I believe we will have one of the best goalkeeping groups in the Big East. I expect that Ryan will be a high performer both in the classroom and on the soccer field."

John "Jack" Niestrom (Hinsdale Central High School; Hinsdale, Illinois)
Niestrom was a member of the varsity soccer team at Hinsdale Central from his freshman through junior years. In 2013, he was named All-Conference, All-Sectional and All-Area. In 2014, he was an All-American nominee. Niestrom has played with the Chicago Fire for the past three years. His 2013 team won the Illinois State Cup, while his 2014 team was named Midwest Region 2 Champion and participated in the National Championship Series. Niestrom is currently a member of the U18 Chicago Fire team in the US Soccer Development Academy under Coach Larry Sunderland. In the classroom, Jack has been on the Honor Roll and Dean's List all four years and has also received the IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award.

Jack Niestrom on choosing Butler:
"I choose Butler University because of the highly regarded academic and athletic programs. After meeting the coaching staff and touring the school I knew that Butler University was the best place for me to grow as a person both academically and as an athlete."

Coach Paul Snape on Niestrom:
"Jack is a Butler Bulldog through and through. From the moment he walked into our office the entire coaching staff knew that he would be a great fit for the program. He is a player who has had to earn things the hard way. He is a fighter who relishes a challenge thrown at him. He is a very hardworking player who takes great pride in his defensive responsibilities. He is the ultimate team player who always makes good decisions that benefit the group. Over the next four years we expect Jack to develop into a well-rounded soccer player. His soccer education with the Chicago Fire Soccer Club has prepared him well for the intense life of a Division I student-athlete."

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