SEATTLE (Nov. 19) - Seattle Pacific University Men's Soccer Coach Cliff McCrath, who led the Falcons to five NCAA championships and nearly 600 victories in his 38 years as head of the program, announced his retirement today, effective February 29, 2008.
His announcement was vintage Cliff McCrath. “The powers that be and I sat down and stared a number of things in the eye, not the least of which was a 7-6-7 season! Albeit this meant our 37th consecutive winning season – a record that will be hard to beat – still had more 'ties' than Men's Wearhouse – which got my attention – and theirs! With seven seniors departing and the prospect of ramping up with a whole new team, we concurred it might be a good time for 'The Nubber' to head for that storied sunset!” McCrath further commented on the future. “I'll spend more time with our camp program, and continue challenging little kids as long as the titanium in my knees doesn't rust. But it's time to hand over the golden –make that the 'maroon and white' – wand!”
McCrath's long career with SPU began in 1970. During his time as coach, the men's soccer team won five NCAA championships, and qualified for the NCAA playoffs 30 of the last 38 years, including 10 trips to championship games. The Falcons have achieved winning records for 37 straight seasons — a Division II record. In all divisions of college sports, McCrath ranks second in coaching victories at 597. His coaching record at SPU is 512 wins, 190 losses, and 87 ties. His overall record is 597-233-95.
SPU President Philip Eaton praised McCrath. “Cliff McCrath is simply a legend in the sport, in Seattle, and around the world,” says Eaton. “He achieved records and distinctions as a coach that may never be challenged. I am extremely grateful that Cliff has been such a strong advocate and ambassador in the world of soccer for Seattle Pacific University.”
McCrath won virtually every award associated with soccer. In 1993, he was inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame. He was named “National Coach of the Year” in 1978 by the National Collegiate Soccer Coaches, received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Honor Award in 1986, and was named the “Seattle Sports Star of the Year” that same year by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He was named coach of the year six times in the Northwest Collegiate Soccer Conference, and in 2005 and 2006 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
McCrath's influence in the soccer world can be seen in the players he has coached over the years. More than 40 players under his tutelage have been drafted by professional teams, including Marcus Hahnemann, a goalkeeper for the U.S. World Cup team and prominent figure in England's English Premier League. More than 100 former Falcon soccer players have gone on to coach in the prep and collegiate ranks. In 1973, he founded the extremely popular Northwest Soccer Camp on Whidbey Island, providing fundamentals for such international stars as Kasey Keller and Michelle Akers.
“Cliff grasped the vision to build a nationally competitive soccer program at Seattle Pacific College and never looked back,” says SPU Director of Athletics Tom Box. “He is a larger-than-life personality who poured his head and his heart into shaping gifted student-athletes into champions – on and off the pitch. Over the years, Seattle Pacific athletics owes so much to this generous mentor and leader.”
Assistant Coach Mark Collings, a 2002 graduate of SPU, will assume immediate responsibility for daily operations of men's soccer as successor head coach.
