News Release
Colby-Sawyer's Paul Cleary Steps Down as Women's Soccer Coach
NEW LONDON, N.H. - April 21, 2008 - After one season at the helm of the Colby-Sawyer women's soccer program, head coach Paul Cleary announced his resignation today, effective May 4th.
Cleary will be taking over as the National Co-Coordinator of Women's Football with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), which is the national governing body for soccer in Cleary's native Ireland.
�Colby-Sawyer was a great place to work and one I will miss,� said Cleary. �I really enjoyed working with this team and I will be their number one fan next season. I think this team has great potential and will challenge for conference honors next season.�
As the National Co-Coordinator, Cleary will be responsible for developing the game of soccer throughout the county at all levels, from grassroots to the women's national team.
�It is a great honor,� said Cleary, a native of Waterford, Ireland. �To be responsible for the development of the game nationally is something I am looking forward to.�
�Coach Cleary has dramatically enhanced the quality of women's soccer at Colby-Sawyer,� said Athletic Director Debi Field McGrath. �I commend Coach Cleary for his ability to positively influence our program in such a short time. We wish him well as he assumes his new post. Collectively we are involved in coordinating the recruitment of [next year's] class.�
In his only season at Colby-Sawyer, Cleary posted an 8-8-3 overall record and a 6-6-1 record in The Commonwealth Coast Conference play. The team qualified for its third consecutive postseason, earning the No. 7 seed in the conference tournament. In the quarterfinal round, the Chargers tied Western New England 0-0, but the Golden Bears advanced on penalty kicks, 4-2.
A nationwide search is underway.
Submitted 2008-04-21 08:18:34 by Colby-Sawyer College Sports Information Department
