Imagine meeting your biggest sports heroes.

A chance, off-day encounter gave senior Justin McGrane that exact opportunity, and put the entire 2007 Adidas Major League Soccer Player Combine into perspective.

“I left the hotel room to get lunch, and the elevator door opens and standing there is Bruce Areana and Alexi Lalas,” McGrane said. “It was cool to be around such influential soccer people. To meet pros and national team coaches and shake their hands was great.”

A handshake and a humble introduction of, “I’m Justin,” welcomed the pair.

Being surrounded by a plethora of American soccer royalty – Areana, the former U.S. national team coach and current New York Red Bulls coach, and Lalas, a National Soccer Hall of Famer and the president/general manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy – made four days in Fort Lauderdale, Florida the place where dreams came true for McGrane.

Between Jan. 5-8, the senior midfielder became the first NIU soccer player chosen to compete in the combine.

“In my wildest dreams I thought I could be a Division I soccer player,” McGrane said. “I was basically just excited to get a scholarship and the chance to get a degree. I never expected the chance to be a professional soccer player.”

But, for four days that is exactly the opportunity the Rockford native was presented with.

The first day was filled with official player measurements and physicals. Three 90-minute games were played; one on Friday, Saturday and Monday, with plenty of scouts, executives, coaches and players from the 13 MLS teams on hand.

“Justin being one of 40 players invited further proves that NIU belongs on the soccer map,” said NIU assistant coach Eric Luzzi. “It builds our reputation and is one more tangible thing people can see. Hopefully, we’ll continue to send players to the combine.”

Durability was an earmark of McGrane’s career at NIU. “Juice,” as he was referred to on the pitch, is tied for the most matches played at 76 and was a three-time All-MAC selection.

McGrane, however, entered the camp at less than 100 percent due to an ankle injury he suffered training two weeks prior to the camp. He still attacked the opportunity with vigor, and said he refused to use the injury as an excuse for any setbacks.

The high level of competition was a bonus that McGrane will use to help in his quest to play soccer at the next level.

“It was a truly humbling experience,” McGrane said. “I’m not a bad player, but not the best by any means, and to kick the ball around with these guys; there were some real athletes there competing.”

McGrane was not drafted on the Jan. 12 MLS draft. But instead of training in hopes of catching on with a team, he decided to return to DeKalb to finish up what he started in the classroom instead.

“I wanted to graduate,” McGrane said. “Essentially, I would have been a free agent. I’ve talked to coach and explored my options, because I want to keep playing, maybe get to an A-league just to try and get a foot in the door.”