March 18, 2003

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Andy Thompson, a 300-pound offensive lineman who played two seasons at NCAA Division I-AA Eastern Illinois University, and John Shields, a cornerback at College of the Siskiyous (Calif.), have signed national letters of intent to play football at Western Washington University. Making that announcement was Viking head coach Rob Smith.

Thompson, who is currently enrolled at Siskiyous, helped Eastern Illinois to a 9-2 record, the Ohio Valley Conference championship and first round of the national playoffs in 2001.

Thompson was named to two all-state teams as a senior at Milan High School (Ind.), helping the Indians to four Mid-Indiana Football Conference championships and state playoff appearances. A two-time all-league choice, he played in the North-South senior all-star game.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Shields earned first-team conference all-star honors in both his seasons at Siskiyous. A team co-captain, he was credited with 45-1/2 solo tackles, two interceptions (one returned for touchdown), two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery as a sophomore.

Shields was a first-team all-South Puget Sound League South Division all-star as a senior at Bethel High School, helping the Braves to an 11-2 record, the league championship and semifinals of Class 4A state playoffs. He intercepted seven passes for the Braves, and as a wide receiver on offense, made 35 receptions for 400 yards and seven touchdowns.

Shields and Thompson will each complete spring quarter at Siskiyous before enrolling at Western.

The signings brings Western's NLI total to 20, 17 high school seniors and three transfers. Ten of the high school signees earned all-state honors.

ANDY THOMPSONOffensive LinemanJunior, 6-4, 300, 22, 6/5/80Milan, IN
COLLEGE: Attended College of the Siskiyous  (Calif.) last year, but did notcompete ... Played two seasons at Eastern Illinois University ... In 2001, helped Panthersto 9-2 record, Ohio Valley Conference championship and first round of NCAA DivisionI-AA playoffs ... Saw action in just four games in 2000 because of shoulder injury ...Redshirt in 1999 at Ball State University (Ind.)
HIGH SCHOOL: Named to two Class A all-State teams as senior at Milan HighSchool (inspired movie "Hoosiers"), helping Indians to four Mid-Indiana FootballConference championships ... Played in North-South senior all-star game ... First-teamleague all-star and co-captain of squad  that reached first round of state playoffs... Honorable mention all-state and first-team all-league as junior on 8-3 team thatreached state quarterfinals ... Played on 9-2 squad that reached state semifinals assophomore and on team that got to quarterfinals as freshman ... Started both ways andlettered four years.
PERSONAL: Major is exercise science ... His brother, Michael, played footballat College of the Siskiyous (Calif.).
JOHN SHIELDSCornerbackJunior, 5-11, 190, 19, 7/27/83Spanaway, WA
COLLEGE: Transfer from College of the Siskiyous (Calif.) ... First-teamMid-Empire Conference all-star as sophomore for Screamin' Eagles ... Team co-captain... Credited with 45-1/2 solo tackles, 2 interceptions (returned one for touchdown),2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery ... First-team Golden Valley Conference all-staras freshman ... Credited with 52 tackles and 1 blocked kick ... Started and lettered twoyears.
HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-South Puget Sound League South Division all-staras senior at Bethel High School ... Helped Braves to 11-2 record, league championshipand semifinals of Class 4A state playoffs ... Intercepted 7 passes ... Also wide receiverfor Braves, making 35 receptions for 400 yards and 7 touchdowns ... As junior, played onteam that reached state quarterfinals after transferring from Washington High Schoolin Tacoma ... First-team Pierce County League all-star as sophomore at Washington ...Started and lettered three years ... Also earned three letters in track and two inbasketball.
PERSONAL: Taking program in pre-medicine.