Chris Lemay named UVU women’s soccer head coach
r University of California, Berkeley associate head coach Chris Lemay has been named the Utah Valley University women’s soccer head coach, it was announced on Tuesday. Lemay becomes just the fourth head coach in UVU’s 14-year history.
“I would like to thank Vince Otoupal, Dr. Jared Sumsion and the rest of the search committee for trusting me to lead the UVU women’s soccer program,” said Lemay. “It was apparent from the moment that I walked on campus that there is an excitement and ambition in the athletic department and I knew that I wanted to be a part of it. I am prepared to build on the foundation that is already in place and am looking forward to challenging the players for even greater success. I would also like to thank the University of California, Berkeley, specifically Neil McGuire, Foti Mellis and all of the wonderful student-athletes that I have had the privilege of working with. Cal, SDSU and UC Riverside have all been special programs to me and have been instrumental in my development as a coach. My wife Tami, son Van and daughters Olivia, Hannah and Eva are all very excited to be joining the Wolverine family.”
Lemay brings nearly two decades of coaching experience along with two years on a semi-professional team and a four-year starting role as a player for Eastern Michigan to UVU.
Lemay served as the associate head coach at Cal for the past four seasons. He most recently helped Cal extend its streak of NCAA Tournament appearances to 13 with a second-straight 13-win season (13-5-3) that included wins over No. 7 USC, No. 15 Texas Tech and a tie against No. 10 UCLA. Lemay helped the Cal coaching staff to one of the best signing classes in the nation this past month as the Bears earned the No. 3 ranking, according to TopDrawerSoccer.com.
In his four seasons at Cal, Lemay helped the team to a 51-22-11 record with four NCAA Tournament appearances. His players received 14 All-Pac-12 honors during his time with the Bears.
“Today is another great day to be a Wolverine,” said Utah Valley athletic director Vince Otoupal. “We are getting a great and experienced coach who will take our women’s soccer program to new heights. We could not be more excited to have Coach Lemay join the Wolverine family.”
Before joining the staff at Cal, Lemay spent one season as an assistant coach at San Diego State, during which the Aztecs won both the Mountain West regular season and conference tournament championships and went 21-2-1 with a No. 4 national ranking after being defeated in the NCAA round of 16. He was also the assistant coach at UC Riverside from 2003-2006, where he helped the team to a 45-20-14 overall record during his tenure and a 2005 NCAA tournament bid.
Aside from coaching at the collegiate level, Lemay spent time as an assistant coach for the Women’s Premier Soccer League’s San Diego Sea Lions, featuring three women’s World Cup players. A licensed United States Soccer Federation Class A coach, Lemay was also the head coach for the San Diego Surf Soccer Club’s girl’s U9 to U18 teams, leading his players to four state cup championships. He was named the San Diego Surf Girls Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2013. Prior to that, he was the Del Mar Sharks’ Director of Younger Girls Programs and head coach for the U8 to U18 teams from 2001 to 2007, where he won three state cup championships. In total, Lemay’s teams have won seven Cal South State Cup Championships, including two national state cups. Lemay’s 2012-13 U12 Surf team won the Cal South National State Cup Championship and were crowned regional finalists. His U14 team won the prestigious Southern California ECNL conference championship and took third nationally.
Lemay was a four-year starter at Eastern Michigan from 1995-2000, where he graduated with a degree in communication and a minor in business management, before playing for the USISL semi-pro soccer club Michigan Madness.rHe joins the Utah Valley University family with wife, Tami, son Van, and daughters Olivia, Hannah and Eva.
rWHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH LEMAY
“UVU is an athletic program and soccer school on the rise. They’ve hired an energetic and passionate coach in Chris Lemay. Chris has been a colleague in our conference for a few years now and because he has been at my alma mater, Cal, I have been able to get an even closer view of the positive impact he’s had with the Golden Bears. Chris has worked tirelessly for an opportunity like this. I can’t wait to see him succeed.”r-Lesle Gallimore, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, University of Washington – California Alum ’86
“Chris is a fantastic coach who connects with his players both on and off the field. Players love playing for him. He’s going to be highly successful.”r-Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors, NBA
“Chris is so deserving and will be an incredible head coach. I could not be more excited for the team that is getting a hardworking and inspiring coach to lead and teach them. He will bring positive energy day in and day out. I loved playing for Chris because he is supportive and cares about his players, not only on the field but also about their well-being, success in school and futures.”r-Samantha Witteman – NWSL North Carolina Courage, NCAA All American
“We are both excited and proud to see Chris become the head coach at Utah Valley University. He has spent his career preparing for this opportunity and will do a tremendous job. He is a wonderful coach and outstanding recruiter, and will drive the program forward with his passion for soccer. Chris believes in the holistic student athlete experience and will mentor his student athletes to strive for excellence in all areas.”r-Neil McGuire, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, University of California, Berkeley
“Chris is an experienced coach who has been successful at all levels. He is an exceptional trainer who runs dynamic sessions. Chris is known for getting the most out of his team as well as the individuals within the team. Chris will have his team ready to compete for a WAC title and make a run at the NCAA tournament right from his arrival on campus.”r-Charles “Chugger” Adair, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Virginia Tech
“Utah Valley University is getting an amazing coach in Chris Lemay. He brings an intensity and energy to the game, one that makes everyone want to work hard. He is truly committed to developing his players and he wants each and every one of them to succeed. Chris and his family are amazing human beings and will be incredible additions to UVU.”r-Arielle Ship- NWSL Washington Spirit, NCAA All American, 2016 Pac 12 Player of the Year
