Indiana University Athletics
A Tradition Like No Other (08-17-02)
8/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug 17, 2002
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - This week, the Indiana men's soccer team, like collegiate teams all across the country, returned to campus to begin preparations for the 2002 season. Student-athletes from any number of sports are going through two-a-day practice sessions, eating their meals at the training table and creating team chemistry between returners and newcomers. For coaches and players, the beginning of a new season is full of excitement, hope, possibility. And nowhere is that more true than when it comes to Hoosier soccer. Every IU men's soccer player knows that with the dawn of a new season comes a very real shotat competing for a championship.
Indiana is home of not only the nation's most successful men's soccer program, but it may truly be the home of one of the most successful programs in all of collegiate sports. Every four-year men's soccer player at Indiana University has advanced to the Final Four and been in a position to win a national championship. On five occasions, the Hoosiers have done just that.
The numbers speak for themselves when reviewing the history of Indiana soccer, a program which began in 1973 under the guidance of head coach Jerry Yeagley. Yeagley begins his 30th season at the helm of the Indiana men's soccer program.
Yeagley's career number are astonishing. He has helped the Hoosiers win 83 percent of their games as they own a 512-94-38 all-time record. He is college soccer's winningest active head coach and needs 33 more wins to become the leader for all-time coaching victories. Since 1973, no other men's soccer program has won more NCAA Championships (5) or appeared in more College Cups (15). In fact, the second-best mark for College Cup appearances over that time span is just eight.
The NCAA Championships and College Cup appearances have equated to 62 tournament victories, 21 more than any other school since 1973.
Overall, Indiana owns more wins than any other program and has the top winning percentage of any school from 1973-2001. The Hoosiers' 512 wins are 41 victories more than second-place UCLA and its .825 winning percentage easily eclipses the Bruins' .775 mark.
Indiana's first NCAA crown came in 1982 and the Hoosiers wasted little time picking up their second title as they won back-to-back championships by capturing the crown the very next season. IU would add yet another title in the decade as they won the championship in 1988.
Ten years later, Indiana won its fourth title and for the second time would prove to be repeat winners with a championship in 1999.
The individual honors have been just as prevalent as the team awards at Indiana. On 53 different occasions a Hoosier has earned All-America honors and a total of sieven Hoosiers have earned Big Ten MVP honors. Indiana has also had five players win the prestigious Hermann Trophy.
Six different times a Hoosier has been named to an Olympic team and six more times an IU player suited up for a World Cup squad.
Not only have former Hoosiers had success on the Olympic and World Cup stage but 15 former Indiana players signed contracts with Major League Soccer teams.
Where IU ranks since 1973
NCAA Championships (5)--1st
College Cup Appearances (15--1st
Big Ten Championships (9)--1st
NCAA Tournament Victories (62)--1st
NCAA Tournament Appearances (26)--1st
NCAA Tournament Winning Percentage (.744)--1st
Overall Winning Percentage (.825)--1st
