FRESNO, Calif. - Steve Springthorpe, who recently completed his fifth season at the University of Florida, was named the head women's soccer coach at Fresno State Athletics Director Scott Johnson announced today. Springthorpe will begin his duties June 18.
In five years at Florida, Springthorpe, 40, helped the Gators win three Southeastern Conference regular championships, three SEC Tournament Championships and reached the NCAA tournament on four occasions. Last season, the Gators were 19-4-2 and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinal round. They were ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation during the season. The Gators finished ranked No. 8 nationally. In 2001, the Gators reached the Collegiate Cup Final Four, losing to Santa Clara 3-2 in overtime. Springthorpe helped the Gators to an 87-28-5 record in his five seasons at Florida.
Two Florida players were selected All-America last season. In all, Springthorpe coached 12 All-Americans at Florida. In addition, 12 Gators were selected to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2003.
While at Florida, he worked with the goalkeepers and was involved in recruiting and scouting. He worked under Becky Burleigh, who ranks No. 3 on the NCAA's active winning percentage record list.
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. During Springthorpe's tenure, the Lady Monarchs advanced to the NCAA Division III semifinals three times (1989, '89, '90), 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 UF as a promotions manager for PUMA North America. He graduated from Methodist in 1987 with a degree in sociology.
Springthorpe and his wife, Trish, have four children - Tyler, Elizabeth, Westley and Jackson.