Vermont Names New Women's Coach

Former D-III Soccer and Lax Coach Takes Reins

February, 6 2008

BURLINGTON, Vt. – The Vermont women’s soccer team’s nearly three-month search for a head coach ended today with the appointment of Kwame Lloyd, a Division III women’s soccer and lacrosse coach at Virginia’s Christopher Newport University.

Lloyd, 38, becomes the sixth coach in the 32-year history of the program and replaces Kerry Dziczkaniec, who retired in November after four years and a 25-42-6 record at the helm.

"We are excited to have Kwame join our staff," Vermont Athletic Director Robert Corran said in a statement. "Kwame is a proven leader who has demonstrated an ability to combine sound values and a student-centered coaching philosophy with a high level of competitive success. With his energy, commitment, and experience we know he will have a tremendous impact on our women's soccer program and our department."

Former Division II soccer and lacrosse coach Kwame Lloyd has been named the new UVM women's coach. (Photo courtesy: UVM Athletics).

Lloyd joined the Christopher Newport University staff in 2001 as head coach of both the women's soccer and women's lacrosse teams. While at CNU he compiled a record of 91-40-8 on the soccer pitch and garnered USA South Coach of the Year honors four times.

He led CNU to four consecutive USA South Athletic Conference Regular Season Championships (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005) and three straight tournament championships (2004, 2005, 2006).

“After my initial visit to Burlington for my interview, I knew I wanted to return to the University of Vermont, and lead the women's soccer program,” Lloyd said in a statement. “I am excited about the team and their eagerness for change, and thrive to compete against the best. We will not only be about building a program, but about building a family. Our standards will be high and our expectation will be unlimited."

The Queens, N.Y. native will have his work cut out for him, though, taking over a young Catamount team that went just 3-14-1 in 2007 and finished seventh in the America East with a 2-6-0 mark. Vermont had one of the youngest teams in the league with 15 freshmen on the squad.

Lloyd's women's soccer teams at Christopher Newport advanced to the USA South Conference Tournament all seven years of his tenure and he produced six consecutive winning seasons

Lloyd began his coaching career at Susquehanna, leading the women's soccer program from 1994-1997. Following the three-year stint at his alma mater, he moved on to Whittier College in Whittier, California. While at Whittier he served the director of soccer for both the men's and women's programs and was the head coach of the women's lacrosse program from 1997-2001.

After his move to CNU, Lloyd led the team to a 12-4-1 record and a 6-0 mark in USA South in 2002, marking the first time in the program's history that the team went undefeated in conference play. The Captains won their first regular season conference championship and Lloyd was named USA South Conference Coach of the Year.

In 2003, the Captains posted a record of 15-6 overall and went 7-1 in league play, finishing for a tie for first place in the league.

The 2004 season was the most successful for CNU as Lloyd led the team to a 16-4-3 overall record and another 7-0 unbeaten mark in conference action. He was named Coach of the Year for the second time and also earned Virginia Sports Information Director's College Division Coach of the Year honors. Lloyd led Christopher Newport to its second conference tournament championship and a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Captains advanced to the Elite 8 before falling to eventual national champion Wheaton (Ill.).

In 2005, the Captains posted another unbeaten mark (6-0) in USA South league play and went 14-5-1 overall. CNU captured both the regular season and conference tournament crowns and earned its second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.

CNU earned its third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2006. Lloyd led the team to a record of 13-6-1 and another USA South Tournament Championship.

This past season, Lloyd earned his fourth USA South Coach of the Year honor. He led CNU to a record of 14-7-1 overall and 8-1-0 in league play. The Captains advanced to the finals of the conference tournament for the fourth time in seven seasons..

Lloyd's success also transferred to his women's lacrosse program at Christopher Newport. He led that team to three USA South Regular Season Championships (2002, 2004, 2005) and a tournament championship in 2006. The Captains earned back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2006 and 2007. He compiled a record of 50-46 and was named the USA South Coach of the Year for women's lacrosse three times.

"I will miss Christopher Newport University and the people I had the pleasure to work with while there,” Lloyd said. “My life and that of my family's has been blessed by all the players I have been honored to have coached in my seven years at CNU. Each one of them will be truly missed and will have a special place in my heart. Though I will miss my CNU Family, I know I will be embraced by the UVM community. My wife and I are looking forward to raising our family in Vermont, and becoming entrenched in the Burlington community."

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