Stevens Institute of Technology men’s soccer coach Hank Lewis has been named the program’s interim head coach for the 2011 season. Lewis served as the primary assistant coach on last year’s Empire 8 title-winning team and has previously coached at Colgate University, Gallaudet University, Washington College, Missouri University of Science and Technology as well as the Bahamas men’s national team.
Lewis inherits a team packed with veteran talent and picked by coaches to win the Empire 8 for a fifth-straight year. The Ducks will also begin the season ranked No. 21 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll.
In his first season at Castle Point in 2010, Stevens led the Empire 8 standings wire-to-wire, did not allow a goal on their way to victory in the conference tournament and made their eighth-straight trip to the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship. Stevens finished the year 15-2-3 and seven Ducks earned all-conference honors. The team was ranked among the top-five nationally in all defensive categories and seniors Zach Carr (Carmel, Ind.) and Nolan Sandberg (Grayslake, Ill.) both earned first-team NSCAA All-American honors. The Ducks were ranked as high as third nationally and were rated first in the East Region during the year.
“When I first came here last year, I was extremely excited to take the assistant job and quickly fell in love with the Stevens culture and community,” said Lewis. “I am honored to be filling in as the leader of this great program and I know we’re prepared to carry on the tradition built by our former coaches, including Tim O’Donohue (Storrs, Conn.). I learned a great deal from him, and the program will be in great hands with our staff. Each of us understands the tradition and quality of both the players and our program as a whole. We want to develop our student-athletes to their highest potential.”
“Hank is the right person to provide the leadership our men’s soccer program needs at this time,” said Stevens Director of Athletics Russell Rogers (Branchburg, N.J.). “Along with his extensive soccer knowledge, Hank’s management skills and attention to detail will serve him well in this position. He is a wonderful role model and mentor for our young men and I look forward to working with him in his new capacity.”
Prior to his arrival on the banks of the Hudson, Lewis coached at Division I Colgate University, where the Red Raiders finished the 2006 season ranked in the top-25.
Lewis helped develop two-time Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year, David Cappuccio (Pittsford, N.Y.), who completed the 2006 season 2nd all-time in the NCAA for minutes played without a goal scored. Lewis has also been a volunteer assistant at Gallaudet University, the nation’s premier college for the deaf, and at Washington College. Among other responsibilities while at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Lewis also helped train Miners’ goalkeeper, Pat McNamee (Fenton, Mo.), to the distinction of Greater Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in 2008, and GLVC All-League team in the 2009.
In addition to his role at Stevens, Lewis currently coaches the FC Copa club team in New Jersey, and guided the 18U Pumas the semi-finals of the N.J. State Cup in 2011. Lewis also coaches the goalkeepers throughout the levels of FC Copa.
Lewis has also served as Head of Goalkeeping Operations for the Centre of Excellence of Bahamas Football Association (BFA), and as an assistant coach on both the men’s and women’s Bahamas national teams, assisting in all aspects of team training and operations for Olympic and World Cup qualifiers.
Lewis holds a B License from the Bahamas Football Association and a National Diploma (Distinguished Pass) from the NSCAA.
A dedicated educator as well as coach, Lewis served as a full-time professor of literature and creative writing at a range of institutions, including the University of Virginia, Colgate, Denison, and the University of Maryland – since graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College (Conn.) and a master of fine arts from the University of Virginia. Lewis played four years of varsity soccer at Trinity and also played a season of lacrosse for the Bantams.
A published author of two books of literary short stories, Lewis has given lectures and fiction readings at over 20 colleges and has visited over 20 public schools as a part of writer-in-the-schools programs.
