Jan. 7, 2009

RALEIGH, N.C. (courtesty of GoPack.com) – NC State Director of Athletics Lee Fowler announced Tuesday the hiring of Steve Springthorpe as the new head women’s soccer coach for the Wolfpack.

Springthorpe spent the previous five seasons at Fresno State University in Fresno, Calif.

There he compiled a 52-40-12 record and transformed the Bulldog soccer program into a Western Athletic Conference (WAC) title contender that appeared in the league’s championship game four straight years, winning twice, and earning a regular season title in 2006.

Fresno State made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 2005 and 2008.

“I’m extremely excited and thankful to Coach Fowler to believe in me and I’m grateful for this opportunity to come to an institution the caliber of NC State University,” said Springthorpe. “Everyone I met on my visit showed how truly great the athletic department is and I look forward to the challenge of competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference.”

Springthorpe takes over a program that was 8-12 last fall and finished 11th in the ACC under Laura Kerrigan, who stepped down in November after 11 seasons at the helm of the Wolfpack.

“We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to bring in a coach with the accolades Steve Springthorpe has achieved,” said Fowler. “He has recruited both the East Coast and the West Coast of the United States and has strong roots playing and coaching in the state of North Carolina. These qualifications make our department very excited for the future of women’s soccer at NC State.”

Along with developing all-conference performers, Springthrope leads his players to excel in the classroom too. Through the 2007 season, 39 players were named academic all-conference, his teams have earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award and several players have been selected CoSIDA Academic All-American’s.

Prior to being named head coach at Fresno State on June 3, 2004, Springthorpe served as an assistant coach at the University of Florida for five seasons, working primarily with the goalkeepers and was involved with recruiting and scouting under coach Becky Burleigh.

Springthorpe helped the Gators to an 87-28-5 overall record, three Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular season championships and three SEC Tournament Championships, while reaching the NCAA Tournament on four occasions.

Springthorpe had nine years of collegiate coaching experience when he joined Florida in May of 1999. He was an assistant coach for the Methodist College women's team from 1987-95. The Lady Monarchs advanced to the NCAA Division III semifinals three times (1989, 1989, 1990), reaching the Division III championship match in 1995. Methodist earned eight Dixie Conference Championships and student-athletes earned Division III All-America honors 20 times during Springthorpe's tenure.

Springthorpe has more than 20 years experience with individual coaching at summer camps, specializing in goalkeeping instruction. In addition, he served as North Carolina's Olympic Development Program goalkeeping coach from 1992-95.

As a player, Springthorpe played for the Greensboro Dynamo team from 1989-93. The team claimed the 1993 U.S. International Soccer League national championship. Springthorpe was a two-time All-South Region and a three-time all conference selection for Methodist College from 1983-87. He was captain of the Monarch team in 1986.

Springthorpe spent the three years prior to joining Florida as a promotions manager for PUMA North America. Born in Miami, Fla., he graduated from Methodist in 1987 with a degree in sociology.

Springthorpe and his wife, Trish, have four children - Tyler (15), Elizabeth (13), Westley (10), and Jackson (7).