RIVERDALE, NY - (January 31, 2001)Manhattan College Athletic Director Robert Byrnes announced the appointment of current NY/NJ MetroStars midfielder Billy Walsh as head coach of the Manhattan College men's soccer team. Walsh was the 16th overall pick by the MetroStars in the 1998 draft and was the Team's Most Valuable Player in 1999. While a member of the MetroStars, Walsh has coached the Chatham High School Boys' Soccer Team, leading them to the 1998 Group 2 State Championship and a combined 42-6 record over the past two years.
"Billy is very experienced as a player and as a leader on a soccer team," commented Byrnes. "He immediately brings to our program a high level of excitement and energy. He is the perfect coach to lead our soccer program into the upper echelon of the both the MAAC and the region."
Walsh is no stranger to top level collegiate soccer. As a freshman at the University of Virginia in 1994, he led the NCAA Championship team in game winning goals and was recognized as Freshman of the Year by U.S. Soccer Magazine. In 1996, he captained the UVA soccer team before transferring to Rutgers where he led the 1997 team to its first ever Big East Championship. In 1996, Walsh was the only collegiate player on the U.S. Olympic Team.
In high school, Walsh was named to the 1992 and 1993 Parade Magazine All-American team and led the Chatham High School Team to two state championships.
"Billy has been successful at every level from high school to the pros to international competition. Our players are very excited to have the opportunity to play for someone with as much soccer know-how and enthusiasm as he has," said Byrnes.
Working with Walsh will be current MetroStars goalkeeper Mike Ammann and former MetroStars coach Brian O'Donnell. Both worked with Walsh at Chatham the past two years. Ammann played for the Charlton Athletic squad in the English First Division from 1994-1996 before playing for the MLS's Kansas City Wizards from 1996-1998. His 21 wins in 1997 are the second-highest victory total for an MLS goalkeeper in league history. In January of 1999, he was traded to the MetroStars along with Mark Chung for Alexi Lalas and Tony Meola.
When asked about coaching at Manhattan while playing for the MetroStars, Walsh responded, "I am very excited to be coming to Manhattan. The opportunity to coach at the Division I level while playing for the MetroStars is a dream come true. I appreciate the support of both the Team and the College in making this possible."
In looking at the challenge in front of him, Walsh commented, "The Jaspers have a good core of young players and it is still early enough in the year to get out and put together an impact recruiting class. That is obviously the top priority right now. Then we can focus on the spring season where Mike, Brian, and I can lay the foundation for a good first season next fall. It's going to be a lot of work, but it is also going to be lot of fun."
