Union women's soccer coach Speck retires - The Daily Gazette

SCHENECTADY — Brian Speck, who has coached the Union College women’s soccer team for 25 years, announced his retirement on Friday.

Speck finished his 25-year career with a 311-111-35 record as the Dutchwomen’s head coach, a mark that currently ranks him 40th in NCAA women’s soccer history in career victories, and third all-time in wins among all Union coaches. He was named the NSCAA New York Region Coach of the Year and the NYSWCAA Coach of the Year in 1998, when Union earned the first national ranking in school history, and was a three-time conference Coach of the Year selection.

“I would like to thank the College for the opportunity afforded to me nearly 25 years ago and want to thank the hundreds of dedicated young women that I have had the privilege to coach as well as my family, the alumnae, support staff, and the Union College community who have supported our program throughout the years,” Speck said in a statement posted on the Union Athletics website. “This was the right time for me to step away from the program and I wish the current and future teams many years of success moving forward.”

During Speck’s tenure, Union won six conference championships, two state titles, made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and 12 different seasons with a national ranking, reaching as high as fifth in the country in both 1998 and 2007. The Dutchwomen also were the first Union women’s team to win a game in the NCAA Tournament when they defeated Ithaca College 4-3 in double overtime in the first round on Nov. 3, 1999.

“We wish Brian and his family the best in his retirement and applaud the success of the teams and student-athletes that competed through the years, including countless All-Academic team selections, All-Americans, and two teams that have been inducted into our Athletics Hall of Fame,” Union athletic director Jim McLaughlin said.

Last season, the Dutchwomen went 4-4-1 in Liberty League play and 9-7-1 overall.