Gerson Echeverry Named New Men's Soccer Head Coach
12/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Gerson Echeverry has been named the head men's soccer coach at Seton Hall University; it was announced Monday by Patrick Lyons, Seton Hall Director of Athletics.
Echeverry, a 1994 Seton Hall graduate and former SHU assistant men's soccer coach, replaces Manfred Schellscheidt, who announced his retirement in November after 24 years on the sidelines for Pirates.
"After a thorough and extensive search, which included several highly qualified candidates, I am very pleased to welcome Gerson back to Seton Hall," Lyons said. "His impressive ledger of experience on both the collegiate and international levels, combined with his intimate knowledge of our program as a student-athlete and coach, make him the ideal successor to Manfred Schellscheidt. We believe he has the tools to build on the foundation set by Manfred and take this program to new heights."
Echeverry returns to Seton Hall after spending the last three years as an assistant coach for the United States Soccer Federation Under-17 men's national team and residency program in Bradenton, Fla. He brings credentials that include success as a coach and player at collegiate, professional and international levels.
"I'm extremely excited to be coming back home to Seton Hall," stated Echeverry. "As a former student athlete and coach, it means so much to be given the opportunity to lead a program that has meant so much to me. I'm looking forward to getting to work and continuing the outstanding tradition of men's soccer at Seton Hall."
With the U.S. Under-17 national team, Echeverry planned and implemented training sessions for midfielders and forwards, evaluated future prospects for the residency team and U-17 men's national team, and served as the head coach for the U-16 men's national team in the Mondial Minimes International Tournament in Montague, France.
For five years, Echeverry served as the top assistant coach for the Seton Hall men's soccer program posting an overall record of 47-38-12 during his tenure. Seton Hall advanced to the BIG EAST Championship game in 2004 and earned three-straight NCAA Tournament berths from 2003-05.
As a player Echeverry stands as one of the finest to ever wear a Seton Hall uniform. He ranks fourth in school history with 114 points, third with 32 assists and sixth with 41 goals.
Echeverry's 1991 campaign still ranks as one of the best single-season performances in program history. That year, he finished the season ranked third in the nation with 52 points while leading the Pirates to the BIG EAST Championship. For his efforts, Echeverry was named the Most Outstanding Player of the BIG EAST Championship, BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year and a Third-Team All-American.
Following his collegiate career, Echeverry played professionally in Colombia as well as with the NY/NJ Metro Stars and D.C. United of Major League Soccer.
