SOCCER

Kann, Class of 2008, was a three-year starter that guided the Vikings soccer team to the Class 4A state title with a 20-1-2 record as a senior, while splitting time between forward and goalkeeper. He tallied 13 goals, 13 assists and posted a 5-0 record in penalty shootouts as a senior—earning AJC Player of the Year. He accepted a scholarship to Furman University with his former Vikings teammate Amadu Ndiaye and made an immediate impact—starting 10 matches as a freshman and helping guide his club team, NASA, to the U.S. Youth Soccer U-19 National Championship match. Kann started 12 matches in 2009 and produced 35 saves to go with 1.48 goals against average and closed out the 2010 campaign with 21 starts and seven shutouts with 0.79 goals against average. Kann’s professional soccer career began in 2011 and he ascended to the USL’s Charleston Battery before embarking on his MLS career, which started in 2013. Kann currently plays for FC Cincinnati and has also played for the Chicago Fire (2013-15), Sporting Kansas City (2016) and Atlanta United (2017-21). Atlanta United selected Kann in the MLS Expansion Draft and he made 24 appearances with the team including starting the very first game for the franchise on a magical night at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Kann and his brother Drew were raised by their father Tom and mother Susan.

Fisher, Class of 1974, played on the Vikings soccer team all five years he was at Lakeside. Leading a very talented team, he was captain in both his junior and senior seasons. Fisher had a fantastic junior season and was awarded the prestigious Viking Award for his efforts on the pitch. He was also an integral part of the 1974 State Championship team during his senior year. Fisher also played for the DeKalb Hotspurs, the winningest team from 1971-1975, and made a national final during his tenure there. His siblings all went and graduated from Lakeside including Bill Fisher (1968), Jim Fisher (1970), Vickie Fisher (1972), and Bob Fisher (1981). After graduating from Lakeside Fisher pursued a career in soccer, moving to San Diego to play in an amateur soccer league before enrolling at the University of Georgia after his time in California. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree (Cum Laude) in 1977 and a JD degree from the UGA School of Law in 1980. Later in his life, Fisher went on to become a successful attorney in the Dallas, Texas and Atlanta areas. Practicing law for over 30 years in Atlanta, he established Thomas S. Fisher, P.C. while raising two daughters. Fisher sadly passed away in 2013, but his legacy continues to live on through his grandchildren.

Culberson, Class of 1971, was a three-year starter in soccer at Lakeside and helped the Vikings to a state championship in 1970 and was the co-captain of the 1971 team. The victory in 1970 was the first soccer championship for Lakeside in program history, but not the last. The 1970 championship team helped lay the groundwork for future success on the pitch for Lakeside. The Vikings later won titles in 1974-75, 1978, 1981, 1997 and 2008. Rick learned the love for the beautiful game through the Decatur YMCA in 1966. In the summer of 1971, he attended the first junior Olympic camp in Dallas, Texas before attending the University of North Carolina beginning in 1971. He was named Second-Team All-ACC in 1973 and is the UNC career team-leader in assists. In 1978, he began playing in amateur soccer leagues in Atlanta, where he played for 40 years. In 1988, Culberson became a referee and helped officiate games at the amateur, high school and youth levels for 30 years. In 1996, Culberson became a nationally licensed coach and began teaching the game through various youth leagues for 30 years. He has lived in Lawrenceville for 38 years and has been married to Marguerite Culberson for 40 years. They have a son, Matthew (Kari) and daughter McKenzie and love their two grandkids, Orly and Millie.