Head Coach Bud Lewis

For men's soccer coach Bud Lewis, the close personal relationships and unique team chemistry of his Wilmington teams have always been more important than championships and records.

But many if not most of Lewis' teams in his 30 years at WC have experienced both-a winning season and what is known as the "Q-Factor," a collection of student-athletes who become life-long friends and play for each other as well as themselves. That unique combination is celebrated by players, coaches, parents and friends of the program, whom Lewis affectionately calls "the Wilmington College soccer family."

"There is something unique and special about our program and I¹m not certain you can really define it" said Lewis, who, after 30 seasons guiding the Quakers, has an enviable 401-159-37 career record, seventh among all active coaches in the NCAA. "You go through phases as a coach and ultimately realize how important the relationship with players and the spirit of the team are to the team's success," he added. "Wins and losses are a by-product of the camaraderie and passion the players have not only for the game but for each other."

Lewis came to Wilmington in 1975 and experienced losing records his first two seasons. Since then, his teams have rattled off 28 consecutive winning campaigns and have made ten national tournament appearances. The coach has been named to NAIA District 22 Coach of the Year eight times and NSCAA Mideast Coach of the Year six times. He was selected Ohio Coach of the Year in 1979 and 1986 and 89.

As members of NAIA, Lewis' Wilmington teams finished the season ranked first in the region six times and among the top 15 teams in the nation 10 times. The 1986 Quakers advanced to the Final Four of the National Tourney and the 1987 team boasted seven players that received All-America honors during their playing career at Wilmington.

As members of the Association of Mideast Colleges (AMC) from 1991-95, Wilmington never lost a conference game en route to capturing five straight AMC titles. Lewis was named AMC Coach of the Year three times. His 1996 team lost in the NCAA Sweet 16 to eventual national runner-up Kenyon College 3-2. Wilmington also dominated the Indiana-based Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference as an original member in 1998 and 1999, compiling records of 5-0-1 and 6-0, respectively, and capturing HCAC Tournament championships both years with the 1999 team losing in the NCAA regionals.

The level of competition dramatically increased in the Ohio Athletic Conference when Wilmington joined beginning with the 2000 season. The Quakers won the regular season championship that year and were runner-up in 2001. In 2002 the Quakers were again runner up losing to national finalist Otterbein. The Quakers were 2004 OAC League and Tournament Champions.

The success they had with extremely competitive schedules those years warranted at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament in 2000, and 2001. In 2000, WC advanced to the Sweet 16 Round and Great Lakes Regional Championship Finals before falling 1-0 to Ohio Wesleyan. In 2001, the team won its opening round match, but fell 1-0 to Roanoke College in the South Region Semifinals. In 2004, the Quakers hosted the regional NCAA match defeating Wheaton College (IL) 2-0 and hosting the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 NCAA Div III Sectional Tournament.

"Our ultimate goal has always been to win a national championship, however what we strive to do is to be the best team we are capable of becoming and out work our opponents in every phase of the game," Lewis said. "I'm extremely proud of the regional and national reputation the program has gained because of our consistent level of play over the last 25 years and I look forward to day when this program comes home with the National Title."

Lewis also is heavily involved with soccer outside of his own program. Lewis is the owner of the very successful Midwest Soccer and the Dutch Touch Premier Academies and has recently established the Dutch Touch Euro Tours. The Academy programs have offered outstanding player training and development for more than 30,000 youth players throughout the Great lakes region. He holds an advanced national coaching license from the National Soccer Coaches' Association of America (NSCAA). Also, he serves as the NSCAA national chairman of the All-American Selection Committee. Lewis is a past president of the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association and was presented OCSA's pinnacle of recognition, the Honor Award, in 2001 at the NSCAA's annual meeting in Philadelphia. In 2002, he received the NSCAA¹s Letter of Commendation for his long term service to the NSCAA.

On all levels of his soccer involvement, he is dedicated to helping players achieve both individual and team success. His overall philosophy is that, first and foremost, soccer is a game whereby players can learn the values of teamwork and dedication. He also believes that discipline and hard work not only equal success on the field but should translate into success off the field.

"The lessons of life-overcoming adversity, performing at your best, possessing a positive attitude, self-discipline and personal sacrifice, team and individual integrity-all transfer from soccer and have a significant impact in the success and satisfaction of family life, careers and service to others," he said.

Lewis scored a record 28 goals as he led his Penfield (N.Y.) High School team to a state championship in 1970. He went on to become an All-American at Bowling Green State University. He is a member of his high school's and BGSU's Athletic Hall of Fame, and is a 2001 inductee into the Clinton County Athletic Hall of Fame. After college, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Comets of the American Soccer League and finished his professional career with the Buffalo Blazers.

Lewis, who also holds a master's degree from Ohio State, serves as WC's director of Greek Life and Wellness programs. He resides in Wilmington with his wife, Margo, and three children, Gabriel, Andrew and Emily

ASSISTANT COACHES:
Andy Brinkman
Andy Szucs
Markus Eriksson

Contact info:
Bud Lewis, 1-800-341-9318 ext. 341
Pyle Box 1205
Wilmington College
Wilmington, OH 45177