Travis Wall

Men's Soccer

Wall to take command of Owls soccer program

GAMBIER, Ohio -- No stranger to central Ohio or the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), Travis Wall was hired as head coach of the Kenyon College men's soccer program. The announcement was made Monday by Jill McCartney, Kenyon's Director of Athletics, Fitness, and Recreation.

Wall, a 2012 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and native of Columbus, Ohio, will begin work at Kenyon after serving four seasons as head coach at Saint Olaf College, an NCAA Division III institution in Northfield, Minnesota. Wall succeeds Chris Brown, who resigned in June after compiling a 238-72-36 record (.740) in 18 seasons at Kenyon.

"It's a privilege to be named the next men's soccer coach at Kenyon," Wall said. "I would like to thank Jill McCartney, Justin Newell, and the rest of the search committee for their role in bringing me to Gambier and for the opportunity to lead such a strong program at such a prestigious college. What Chris Brown and [assistant coach] Darren Moore achieved over the last two decades has been simply incredible. I look forward to playing at Mavec Field and trying to add to the storied tradition of Kenyon men's soccer."

At Saint Olaf, Wall's teams posted a combined 43-18-3 (.695) record, including a 22-7-1 (.750) mark in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). He guided the 2021 Oles to a 19-3-1 record, the MIAC regular-season title, and an appearance in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament. He was named both the 2021 MIAC Coach of the Year and the 2021 United Soccer Coaches Region IX Staff of the Year.

In 2022, the Oles went 15-5-2, won the MIAC Tournament, and made another showing in the NCAA Sweet 16. Wall's teams twice ranked among the NCAA's top-10 in scoring offense and reached national poll marks as high as No. 10. He had two players named MIAC Rookie of the Year, eight players named to All-Region teams, and three named All-Americans.

Newell, Kenyon's Associate Director of Athletics who chaired the search committee, said, "Throughout the process, it was obvious that Travis' passion for the Division III student-athlete experience stood out. He is a proven successful player and coach at the highest level of Division III soccer. His understanding of the game and the needs of the student-athletes will allow him to continue the excellence that Kenyon men's soccer is known for. I am excited to watch our team continue to grow under his leadership."

Prior to his time at St. Olaf, Wall was assistant coach for two years and associate head coach for two more years at Ohio Wesleyan. During that span, he recruited three NCAC Newcomers of the Year and the Battling Bishops made the NCAA Tournament three times.

During his collegiate playing days, Wall was a two-time first team All-American, captain of Ohio Wesleyan's 2011 national championship team, and the 2011 NSCAA National Player of the Year. He was named to the NCAC's All-Decade Team and, after taking his place among Ohio Wesleyan's top-five all-time career leaders in goals, assists, and points, was inducted into the university's Athletics Hall of Fame.

Wall, who will start work at Kenyon at the end of this month, is the 14th head coach in the 76-year history of the Kenyon soccer program.

"I'm grateful to so many people who played big roles in my career and who helped make this happen," Wall added. "None more so than the people at St. Olaf, who I will always hold in the highest of regard, as they made me a head coach and gave me five of the most rewarding years of my life."
 
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