University of Massachusets Athletics
Photo by: Thom Kendall - UMass Athletics
Men's Soccer to Commemorate Sam Koch During Alumni Weekend
September 13, 2024 | Men's Soccer
Koch (1955-2014) was a beloved head coach for 23 years at UMass, becoming the winningest coach in program history.
AMHERST, Mass. – The Massachusetts men's soccer program will commemorate former head coach Sam Koch during its alumni weekend matchup against Saint Joseph's on Oct. 5, announced by the program earlier today. Alumni weekend this year takes place during the 10th anniversary of Koch's passing.
"Sam Koch was a remarkable soccer coach and an even better man" head coach Fran O'Leary stated. "I said at his UMass Soccer Memorial ten years ago that we would all enjoy a game of soccer on Rudd Field as a result of his leadership to save the program. The same holds true today. Thank you, Sam!"
Koch (pronounced: coke) served as the head coach of the UMass men's soccer program for 23 years, racking up 222 wins in his UMass career to become the winningest coach in program history. Originally hired at UMass for what was planned as the final year of the program in 1991, Koch is credited for not only saving it but helping it thrive as one of the top teams in New England.
In his tenure, the Minutemen won four regular-season Atlantic 10 titles and two Atlantic 10 tournament titles. Koch also guided the Minutemen to the NCAA tournament three times, including an appearance in the 2007 Final Four.
Koch was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year four times, including 1992 when he was also named New England Coach of the Year. in 2007 and 2008, Koch was a finalist for the NSCAA National Coach of the Year award.
During his time at UMass, Koch produced three Academic All-Americans, one Academic All-American of the Year, a two-time Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year, and Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, and Atlantic 10 Midfieldfer of the Year, two Atlantic 10 Rookies of the Year, and two Atlantic 10 Tournament MVPs.
The true measure of a coach, however, is not always in the wins and losses, but rather the impact they have on their players' lives. Former three-time captain J.R. Pouncey echoed that sentiment. "Playing for Coach Koch and the UMass men's soccer team was the greatest experience of my life" Pouncey stated. "Coach Koch was a great person and a great coach. It was an honor and privilege to play for him. I thank him for shaping me into the individual I am today. Getting an education and playing soccer at UMass was the greatest time of my life and I am grateful for the four years I had."
Before coming to UMass, Koch was the head coach at Stanford from 1984-89. While in Palo Alto, he compiled a record of 58-53-16. In 1987, he was named Pacific Soccer Conference Coach of the Year by his peer. Prior to his six seasons at Stanford, Koch was an assisstant coach at Brown University and Boston College, as well as a staff instructor at the U.S. Soccer School. Koch was a four-year soccer letterwinner at Colby College where he earned a B.S. in History and Environmental Science in 1979.
A native of Concord, Mass., Koch is survived by his wife, Suzanne, and their four children, Christopher, Jeffrey, Benjamin and Katherine.
The Minutemen are scheduled to kick off against Saint Joseph's at 1:00 p.m. Prior to the start of the game, there will be an alumni game at 10:00 a.m. at the practice field followed by a pregame cookout.
"Sam Koch was a remarkable soccer coach and an even better man" head coach Fran O'Leary stated. "I said at his UMass Soccer Memorial ten years ago that we would all enjoy a game of soccer on Rudd Field as a result of his leadership to save the program. The same holds true today. Thank you, Sam!"
Koch (pronounced: coke) served as the head coach of the UMass men's soccer program for 23 years, racking up 222 wins in his UMass career to become the winningest coach in program history. Originally hired at UMass for what was planned as the final year of the program in 1991, Koch is credited for not only saving it but helping it thrive as one of the top teams in New England.
In his tenure, the Minutemen won four regular-season Atlantic 10 titles and two Atlantic 10 tournament titles. Koch also guided the Minutemen to the NCAA tournament three times, including an appearance in the 2007 Final Four.
Koch was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year four times, including 1992 when he was also named New England Coach of the Year. in 2007 and 2008, Koch was a finalist for the NSCAA National Coach of the Year award.
During his time at UMass, Koch produced three Academic All-Americans, one Academic All-American of the Year, a two-time Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year, and Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, and Atlantic 10 Midfieldfer of the Year, two Atlantic 10 Rookies of the Year, and two Atlantic 10 Tournament MVPs.
The true measure of a coach, however, is not always in the wins and losses, but rather the impact they have on their players' lives. Former three-time captain J.R. Pouncey echoed that sentiment. "Playing for Coach Koch and the UMass men's soccer team was the greatest experience of my life" Pouncey stated. "Coach Koch was a great person and a great coach. It was an honor and privilege to play for him. I thank him for shaping me into the individual I am today. Getting an education and playing soccer at UMass was the greatest time of my life and I am grateful for the four years I had."
Before coming to UMass, Koch was the head coach at Stanford from 1984-89. While in Palo Alto, he compiled a record of 58-53-16. In 1987, he was named Pacific Soccer Conference Coach of the Year by his peer. Prior to his six seasons at Stanford, Koch was an assisstant coach at Brown University and Boston College, as well as a staff instructor at the U.S. Soccer School. Koch was a four-year soccer letterwinner at Colby College where he earned a B.S. in History and Environmental Science in 1979.
A native of Concord, Mass., Koch is survived by his wife, Suzanne, and their four children, Christopher, Jeffrey, Benjamin and Katherine.
The Minutemen are scheduled to kick off against Saint Joseph's at 1:00 p.m. Prior to the start of the game, there will be an alumni game at 10:00 a.m. at the practice field followed by a pregame cookout.
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