University of Connecticut Athletics
UCONN SOCCER: 1969-2018----A GREAT 50-YEAR RUN
10/26/2018 2:36:00 PM | Men's Soccer
By Tim Tolokan
Coach Morrone turned UConn men's soccer into a national power and Ray Reid has continued the legacy. Check out these interesting tidbits below on "UCONN SOCCER: 1969-2018----A GREAT 50-YEAR RUN" put together by UConn's very own Tim Tolokan, the Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics:
UCONN SOCCER: 1969-2018----A GREAT 50-YEAR RUN
During the past 50 seasons (1969-2018), just two men have guided the University of Connecticut Men's Soccer program. Hall of Fame Coach Joe Morrone was in charge for 28 seasons (1969-1996) and Ray Reid is now in his 22nd season as head coach (1997-2018). Coach Morrone's overall UConn record was 358-178-53 and Coach Reid's UConn record stands at 297-109-60 entering the SMU contest (Oct. 27).
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Joe Morrone (in 1981) and Ray Reid (in 2000) each led UConn to NCAA Division I Men's Soccer National Championships…and the overall record in those two seasons was identical (20-3-2). In its four NCAA matches en route to the 1981 title, UConn outscored its opposition 13-4. In its five NCAA contests en route to the 2000 championship, UConn outscored its opponents 10-1, posting shutouts in four of the five matches, including both the national semifinals and national title match.
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Since 1969, UConn has earned 33 NCAA Tournament berths. Coach Joe Morrone led the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament 16 times, winning the National Championship in 1981. Coach Ray Reid has directed UConn to the NCAA Tournament 17 times, winning the National Championship in 2000.
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UConn Head Coach Ray Reid will enter the SMU match (Oct. 27) holding the No. 1 career winning percentage in the nation among active coaches with a minimum of 10 years as a head coach at an NCAA Division I school. Now in his 30th season as a collegiate coach, and his 22nd year at UConn, Coach Reid has an overall collegiate record of 443-126-75 (74.6%). Ray Reid was 146-17-15 in eight seasons at Southern Connecticut State University and Coach Reid is 297-109-60 in his 22 season at UConn.
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In the first 49 seasons of men's soccer being played at the Connecticut Soccer Stadium/Morrone Stadium, UConn men's soccer ranked in the Final National Top 25 poll 27 times---Joe Morrone (13 years), Ray Reid (14 years). In 2018, the 50th season of competition in Morrone Stadium, UConn is currently ranked No. 15 in the nation.
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From 1969 through 1996 UConn played in the Connecticut Soccer Stadium and in those 28 seasons Head Coach Joe Morrone compiled a 228-75-32 (72.8%) home record in Storrs.
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In April of 1997, soon after he retired as head coach, UConn renamed its home soccer facility the Joseph J. Morrone Stadium in honor of its Hall of Fame Coach.
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During the past 22 seasons (1997-2018), Head Coach Ray Reid has compiled a 209-40-28 (80.5%) home record in Storrs heading into the regular season home finale on Saturday (Oct. 27) vs. SMU.
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In 50 seasons of home matches in Morrone Stadium, Joe Morrone and Ray Reid have combined to record an overall home field record of 437-115-60 (73.6% winning effort) with the SMU game (Oct. 27) still to play.
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During the past 50 seasons of men's collegiate soccer at Morrone Stadium, the UConn program has produced the Hermann Trophy winner (honoring the nation's top player) three times. In 1980, Joe Morrone (son of the UConn head coach) earned the Hermann Trophy. In the same year the younger Morrone was named to the 1980 U.S. Men's Soccer Olympic Team. In UConn's NCAA National Championship season of 2000 Chris Gbandi won the Hermann Trophy. In 2007, O'Brian White was honored with the Hermann Trophy.
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All three of Coach Joe Morrone's children played collegiate soccer at UConn on the playing surface now named after their father...and all three Morrone children became UConn All-Americans. Â Joe and Bill Morrone both played for their dad (younger Joe being a two-time All-American and Bill earning All-American honors in 1982). Daughter Melissa "Missy" Morrone played for UConn Women's Soccer under Coach Len Tsantiris and was a UConn All-American in 1983.
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UConn has produced back-to-back No. 1 picks in the pro soccer draft on two separate occasions. In 1980 and 1981, Joe Morrone and Pedro DeBrito were the No. 1 selections in the NASL pro draft. In 2014 and 2015, UConn stars Andre Blake and Cyle Larin were the No. 1 picks in consecutive MLS SuperDrafts.
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The connections and the passion for UConn Soccer run deep for former players, coaching staffs, and thousands of fans who have visited Morrone Stadium during the past 50 years. The lead financial gift in the private fundraising campaign to build a new on-campus soccer facility in Storrs has come from 1986 men's soccer captain Tony Rizza. Hall of Fame Coach Joe Morrone (who passed away on Sept. 16, 2015) and current Coach Ray Reid also have both made personal financial commitments toward the funding of the new facility. In 2020, UConn Soccer will move into The Rizza Family Soccer Complex and matches will be played on a brand new Joseph J. Morrone Stadium.
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A few weeks before his passing in September of 2015, Hall of Fame Coach Joe Morrone was asked what UConn Men Soccer meant to him---his answer---"It's My Life!"
