Men's Soccer 3/20/2023 4:30:00 PM

Kevin Anderson '94 Named SCSU Men's Soccer Head Coach

Men's Soccer 3/20/2023 4:30:00 PM

Kevin Anderson '94 Named SCSU Men's Soccer Head Coach

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Southern Connecticut State University Director of Athletics & Recreation Chris Barker has announced that Kevin Anderson '94 has been named the Owls' men's soccer head coach, as announced on Monday, Mar. 20, 2023. Anderson is the Owls' fourth head coach in program history.

"One of the most important things that I can do for Southern Connecticut State University is to hire individuals that will have a positive impact on our student-athletes and help them reach their goals and dreams," Barker said. "I'm confident that Kevin Anderson embodies all those values. Kevin had great success at Southern Connecticut previously, as an All-American on a national championship team as well as serving as an assistant coach for back-to-back titles."

Anderson returns to his alma mater where he was a two-year standout in 1991 and 1992 after two seasons at George Mason. While at George Mason, Anderson was a 1989 All-Rookie Team selection and a 1990 Colonial Athletic Conference First Team pick. At Southern Connecticut, Anderson was a 1992 First Team All-American after helping the Owls to the 1992 NCAA Division II National Championship. That season his 13 assists were the second-most in a single season in program history, a mark that stands at sixth place today.

"My family and I would like to thank University Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Tracy Tyree, Director of Athletics & Recreation Chris Barker and the search committee for putting their trust in me to lead this historic program," Anderson said. "We will recruit, coach and develop the best student athletes that will make us proud, both on and off the field, as we aspire and make a positive impact in the greater New Haven community and to bring more championships back to Southern Connecticut."

Anderson comes to Southern Connecticut from Columbia University where he served as the Lions' head coach for the last 14 years. First hired as an assistant coach at Columbia in 1994, Anderson returned to Southern Connecticut as an assistant under Tom Lang where he helped guide the Owls to back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championships in 1998 and 1999.

"To return to the alma mater of both my brother and I, and to build upon the legacy known as Southern Connecticut Soccer, is one that I take on with tremendous responsibility and pride," Anderson said.

Anderson returned to Columbia in 2004 as an assistant while also serving as an interim head coach through 2006. Anderson left Columbia for Boston College where he was named to College Soccer News' Top 20 Assistant Coaches list as the Eagles won the ACC Regular Season and Tournament Championships and received the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Division I tournament.

In 2009, he was hired as Columbia's head coach, where he has served over the last 14 years. In 2015, Anderson guided the Lions to the most wins in program history (13) while featuring the Ivy League Offensive Player and Rookie of the Years. In 2016, Anderson was named Ivy League Coach of the Year as the Lions were Ivy League Co-Champions and featured a Hermann Trophy Semifinalist. The following season, Columbia finished as the Ivy League Runner-Up and claimed an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1993. Academically, Anderson's Columbia squad earned NSCAA Team Academic Awards for 14 consecutive years.

"Kevin's success at Columbia in building a competitive program focused on academics, athletics and social awareness aligns with 'The Owl Way' and I'm thrilled to welcome him home," Barker added. "I want to thank our search committee for doing an incredible job during the selection process. I look forward to having Kevin, his partner Sarah, and two daughters Lennon and Harper join Southern Connecticut, in our pursuit of developing students!"

Following his playing career at Southern Connecticut, Anderson played for the Long Island Rough Riders of the USL League Two from 1993 to 1997, winning a National Championship in 1995. He went to play for the USL's Minnesota Thunder in 1997, serving as the team's captain and was later named the team's Most Valuable Player as well as one of the USL's Top 11 players. In 1998, the Thunder finished as USL Runner-Ups. Anderson then went on to be the No. 1 pick by the Colorado Rapids in the 1998 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft. He also suited up for MLS' Tampa Bay Mutiny before transferring to the Charleston Battery of the USL for the 2001 and 2002 seasons, winning the league championship in 2002. He concluded his playing career in 2003 as a member of the Thunder, where he once again served as the team's captain as it won the league championship and finished as runner-up to the national champions.

A press conference to formerly introduce Kevin Anderson to the Southern Connecticut State University community and local media will be held on Thursday, Mar. 23 at 1 p.m. at James Moore Field House.

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