2008 Woodie Awards
Hanging up the cleats
Men's coach to end career after 19 years of coaching Cougar soccer program
Tony Patrico
Issue date: 8/21/07 Section: Sports
SIUE Head Coach Ed Huneke will end his 21-year tenure as head soccer coach at the conclusion of the 2007 season. SIUE's current assistant coach Kevin Kalish will take over after the end of the season.
The men's soccer program is considered elite in its class. The team has had much success under the direction of Huneke. Posting an overall record going into his final year, Huneke has brought the Cougars to 240 wins, 151 losses and 31 draws. This brings his SIUE winning percentage to .605, making him the winningest coach in SIUE history.
"I've been blessed to have a job that has generated many great memories and relationships," Huneke said.
Under Huneke the Cougars, under Huneke, have made appearances in three national semifinal appearances in the NCAA Division II tournament. The three appearances can be added to a total of 20 national tournament appearances with two national titles in 1972 and 1979. The Cougars have made the NCAA D-II National tournament for the past four consecutive seasons.
"I've been coaching and teaching for 34 years straight," Huneke said. "So I think a little down time will be a new feeling."
In 2004, Huneke, Kalish and the rest of the men on the Cougars team, were national runners-up. The team has won the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament for the past three consecutive seasons. This season will be the final chance for the Cougars to become NCAA D-II champions before reclassifying to Division-I status.
Huneke has posted 15 seasons with 10 or more victories, with the last eight seasons the Cougars have cashed in by earning more then 10 victories of each of these seasons.
"Right now, with the program playing at a high level, I think this is the right time to pass the torch," Huneke said.
Kalish will take over and become SIUE's third men's head soccer coach. Kalish, Saint Louis University alum, has been an assistant coach for the Cougars for the past eight seasons. The Cougars have gained over 100 wins since Kalish's arrival to the team, posting an overall record of 107-28-16.
Huneke will lead the Cougars to their first regular season game at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at Korte Stadium against Kentucky Wesleyan.
The men's soccer program is considered elite in its class. The team has had much success under the direction of Huneke. Posting an overall record going into his final year, Huneke has brought the Cougars to 240 wins, 151 losses and 31 draws. This brings his SIUE winning percentage to .605, making him the winningest coach in SIUE history.
"I've been blessed to have a job that has generated many great memories and relationships," Huneke said.
Under Huneke the Cougars, under Huneke, have made appearances in three national semifinal appearances in the NCAA Division II tournament. The three appearances can be added to a total of 20 national tournament appearances with two national titles in 1972 and 1979. The Cougars have made the NCAA D-II National tournament for the past four consecutive seasons.
"I've been coaching and teaching for 34 years straight," Huneke said. "So I think a little down time will be a new feeling."
In 2004, Huneke, Kalish and the rest of the men on the Cougars team, were national runners-up. The team has won the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament for the past three consecutive seasons. This season will be the final chance for the Cougars to become NCAA D-II champions before reclassifying to Division-I status.
Huneke has posted 15 seasons with 10 or more victories, with the last eight seasons the Cougars have cashed in by earning more then 10 victories of each of these seasons.
"Right now, with the program playing at a high level, I think this is the right time to pass the torch," Huneke said.
Kalish will take over and become SIUE's third men's head soccer coach. Kalish, Saint Louis University alum, has been an assistant coach for the Cougars for the past eight seasons. The Cougars have gained over 100 wins since Kalish's arrival to the team, posting an overall record of 107-28-16.
Huneke will lead the Cougars to their first regular season game at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at Korte Stadium against Kentucky Wesleyan.
Be the first to comment on this story