ROCHESTER, Mich. – Announced by the organization on Twitter on Tuesday, January 24, former Oakland Golden Grizzlies goalkeeper Sean Lewis is continuing his professional career, signing with the One Knoxville Sporting Club of USL League One (USL1).

Playing their home matches at Regal Stadium, home of the Southeastern Conference's (SEC) Tennessee Lady Volunteers, One Knoxville SC was founded in 2021 as a semi-professional team and will be competing in their first USL1 season in 2023.

An All-District selection during his final two high school campaigns with the Rockford Rams, Lewis played his first three collegiate seasons in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) with the Western Michigan Broncos, culminating in Second Team All-Conference recognition as a junior in 2012.

Transferring to Oakland for his final year of college soccer, he started 15 matches for the Golden Grizzlies in 2013, posting three shutouts and taking home Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week honors three times. He also garnered a spot on the Conference Honor Roll during his one fall in Rochester.

Lewis has previous professional experience in the second tier USL Championship (USLC) with both FC Tulsa and Indy Eleven, and the now 30-year-old is looking forward to the opportunity to help shape One Knoxville SC as the organization embarks on their first fully professional slate.

"I'm extremely excited to have signed with One Knoxville SC," Lewis shared. "It's a unique opportunity to be joining an expansion club, as it gives the players a chance to become something special from its beginning and help build its legacy.

"I look forward to this new challenge and the shot at continuing to represent Oakland University and Oakland Goalkeeping well at the professional level."

Golden Grizzlies head coach Eric Pogue, who helped bring Lewis to Oakland a decade ago, knows the talent he has and that he has plenty left to offer One Knoxville SC.

"Very excited for Sean for this fresh start and new opportunity with a top quality professional organization like One Knoxville SC," Pogue said.

"Sean is a high end goalkeeper that still has a lot left in the tank. Injuries cut short his 2022 USL Championship season with Indy Eleven, but I know Sean is driven to get back to that elite goalkeeping level and help One Knoxville SC compete for a USL League One championship."

Lewis and his One Knoxville SC teammates are scheduled to begin their 2023 season at home with a Saturday, March 18 date with Lexington (Kentucky) SC, who will also be competing in their debut USL1 campaign.