Four Former Red Devils Competing at the Professional Level
EUREKA, Ill. – Since March, four former Eureka College student-athletes have taken significant strides in their professional athletic careers. Three of these individuals have secured professional contracts, while another has been awarded MVP of his basketball league in Portugal. Read more about each athlete's journey below:
Sam Buduris – Utica Unicorns
On May 12th, Sam Buduris (Shorewood, Ill./Minooka) inked a professional contract to join the Utica Unicorns of the United Shore Professional Baseball League. Buduris' contract arrived on the heels of a record-breaking season, where he managed to break seven single-season program records in his first season as a Red Devil after transferring from McKendree.
Since joining the Unicorns, Buduris has appeared in eight of the teams' nine games this season and started seven. Buduris' professional debut came on opening day of the 2024 season, when he received a starting spot in Right Field and batted leadoff for the Unicorns. On May 23rd, Buduris notched his first professional hit in an 8-6 win over the Westside Mammoths. He recorded his first RBI for the Unicorns a few days later in a 3-2 sudden death victory, also against the Westside Mammoths. Buduris currently boasts a fielding percentage of 1.000, recording 7 put outs and 1 assist in 8 chances this season.
Buduris, who was named an ABCA/Rawlings All-American on May 8th, will make his next appearance for the Utica Unicorns on June 7th at Jimmy John's Field in Utica, Michigan, against the Eastside Diamond Hoppers at 7:05 P.M. EST.
Follow along with Sam Buduris and the remainder of his inaugural season with the Utica Unicorns here.
Brendan Durr – Albershausen Crusaders (Germany)
On March 22nd, the Albershausen Crusaders unveiled Brendan Durr (Washington, Ill./Washington) as their newest signing. The Crusaders play in the GFL 2 (German Football League 2), which is the second tier of professional American football in Germany.
Durr, a former linebacker for the Red Devils, had an outstanding season final season at Eureka College in the Fall of 2023. Durr closed out his career as a Red Devils tied for first in program history in solo tackles with 147, 6th in program history in total tackles with 273, 8th in program history in assisted tackles with 126, and tied for 10th in program history in tackles-for-loss with 23.
Durr, an NACC Second Team All-Conference selection in 2023, made his professional debut for the Albershausen Crusaders on May 25th against the Fursty Razorbacks. Durr got the start at linebacker and recorded three solo tackles and two assisted tackles in his debut for the Crusaders.
The Crusaders are back in action on June 9th against the Montabaur Fighting Farmers at 3:00 P.M. Central European Time (8:00 A.M. CST).
Stay updated on Brendan Durr's first season with the Albershausen Crusaders here, and view stats from the 2024 GFL 2 season here.
Garrett Flaagan – North Platte 80's
On May 28th, Garrett Flaagan (Eagle, Colo./Eagle Valley) was announced as the newest member of the North Platte 80's of the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs. Flaagan's professional contract arrived after a breakout senior season with the Red Devils, including a batting average of .293 and a fielding percentage of .916 as the starting shortstop for the Red Devils.
Flaagan has appeared in 7 games for the 80's this season, having made his professional debut on May 28thagainst the Tucson Saguaros. Flaagan did not disappoint in his 80's debut, delivering two hits and one RBI in his five at-bats. Just two days later, Flaagan delivered his first homerun of his professional career as part of a three hit performance against the Santa Fe Fuego. In 27 at-bats this season, Flaagan has an impressive batting of .333, delivering 9 hits and 4 RBI's for the North Platte 80's.
Garrett Flaagan and the North Platte 80's are back in action tonight at 6:30 P.M. CST against the Blackwell FlyCatchers at Bill Wood Field in North Platte, Nebraska.
To follow along with the North Platte 80's and Garrett Flaugan's first season playing baseball at the professional level, click here.
Kyler Stork – GD Gafanha (Portugal)
Eureka College Men's Basketball alumni and class of 2020 graduate, Kyler Stork (Normal, Ill./Normal West), spent the 2023-24 basketball season in Portugal, playing for GD Gafanha of the National Championship 2nd Division (Campeonato Nacional 2).
Stork and GD Gafanha's stellar campaign ended in a National Championship 2nd Division title after knocking off Carnide Club in the championship game by a 68-63 scoreline. Stork led the way for GD Gafanha in the championship match in both points with 18 and rebounds with 16. Stork also added an assist and two blocks to his championship game stat line.
To advance to the final, GD Gafanha met up with GDAS in a two-legged semifinal. In the first leg of the semifinals, GD Gafanha won 60-41. Stork contributed 12 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 assists for GD Gafanha in the first leg. In the second leg, all GD Gafanha had to do to advance to the final was lose by 18 points or less or win, and they did just that, defeating GDAS by a score of 60-54. In the second leg of the semifinals, Stork recorded 23 points and 9 rebounds.
Just three days after winning the Portugal National Championship 2nd Division Final, Stork added another accolade to his resume, when the league named him Most Valuable Player, following a streak of impressive postseason performances.
To check out pictures and the recap from GD Gafanha and Kyler Stork's championship victory, click here. To check out the box score from GD Gafanha's 68-63 triumph over Carnide Club, click here.