By Staff Report
Tony Colavecchia, who has been the University of Louisville men’s soccer coach for the past 10 years, announced his resignation Thursday. The Cards finished 5-11-2 on the season and 2-7-2 in Big East play this year.
“I feel blessed to have been a part of watching the University of Louisville and its athletic department grow into the national leader it is today,” Colavecchia said. “We have come a long way since I came here in 1996.”
Colavecchia coached the Cards from 1996-2005 and finished with an 80-101-18 record.
He led the team to its most successful seasons in 2002 and 2003 when they finished third in Conference USA. In 1999, he guided the Cards to their first winning season (9-8-1) since 1985 and a fourth-place finish in C-USA.
“I was blessed to work with the best athletic department in the country, especially working with Tom Jurich and Julie Hermann,” Colavecchia said. “I learned a lot from them and I am hoping that I will continue to use that knowledge in my next endeavor.”
Colavecchia was named C-USA Coach of the Year in 2002 after the Cards finished with the best record in the league at 6-3-1.
“We would like to thank Tony for all his years of hard work and dedication with the Cardinal soccer program,” said U of L Athletic Director Tom Jurich. “It is evident that he has a true passion for the sport and we wish him and his family well in the future.”
In his 10 seasons with the Cardinals, Colavecchia brought in Louisville’s first All American, Adrian Cann. Cann was also the first U of L player to be drafted by the MLS when the Colorado Rapids selected him in the second round.
“I hope that in some small way that I have been able to contribute to the University of Louisville but also to the soccer community,” Colavecchia said.
