DENVER - International soccer legend Zinedine Zidane's surprise visit highlighted action at last week's adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) event held at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

The top 102 male soccer players under the age of 17 participated in the event held July 3-8 at the home of the Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids.

Zidane popped in for a surprise visit on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 7 at 3:30 p.m. MT. Zidane led the players through drills, conducted a meet-and-great and played alongside the ESP players at an All-Star game later that evening.

Eight current University of Denver soccer players - Collin Audley (Fort Collins, Colo.), Kris Banghart (Fort Collins, Colo.), Gavin Dawson (Carrboro, N.C.), Ryan Garren (Broomfield, Colo.), Marc Kocel (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Jarod Stigall (Plano, Texas), Zach Paul (Longmont, Colo.) and Joe Willis (St. Louis, Mo.) - served as instructors during the five-day event. The DU players also got to meet and pass with Zidane.

DU head coach Bobby Muuss attended the event and met the soccer legend as well.

"I would like to thank adidas and ESP for allowing our eight players to participate in this great event," Muuss said. "Our team and staff had a tremendous five days. It was really special to meet and interact with Zidane. It's something I know our eight players and coaches will never forget."

Zidane is one of the most decorated athletes in soccer history. Zidane is of only two three-time FIFA World Player of the Year honors. He helped France win the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000, in addition to winning the 2002 UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid.