Craig Appleby Named Johns Hopkins Men's Soccer Coach

Appleby Takes Over Two-Time Defending Centennial Conference Champion

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Craig Appleby is the 19th head coach in the history of Johns Hopkins men's soccer.

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July 1, 2008

BALTIMORE, MD - Johns Hopkins Athletic Director Tom Calder announced the appointment of Craig Appleby as the head men's soccer coach Tuesday. Appleby becomes the 19th head coach in the 74-year history of the men's soccer program. He replaces Matt Smith who resigned in early June after 15 seasons with the Blue Jays.

"I am pleased to announce the hiring of Craig Appleby as the new head coach of the Johns Hopkins University men's soccer team," said Calder. "Craig brings with him a wealth of knowledge of the game and strong leadership qualities, which will help the program maintain its national prominence. I welcome Craig to the University and know that he will be a well-liked and respected member of our staff."

Appleby comes to Johns Hopkins after six years as the head coach at Emory & Henry College (VA). Prior to his tenure with the Wasps, he was an assistant coach at both Wofford College and Washington & Lee University.

"I feel truly blessed to be named the head coach at Johns Hopkins University," Appleby said. "The University's academic reputation combined with its very competitive athletic program makes this an ideal place to be. I am very happy to be a part of the Johns Hopkins soccer program and look forward to building on the success enjoyed during coach Smith's tenure."

A 1994 graduate of UNC-Charlotte, Appleby played for the 49ers from 1990 to 1992. He earned Second Team All-Metro Conference honors in 1992 and helped lead UNC-Charlotte to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 1991 and 1992. Appleby began his collegiate career at Wofford College, where he set a school freshman record with 16 goals and earned NSCAA First Team All-South honors.

Appleby continued his playing career in the German Third Division with Tus Celle. After a season in Germany, he returned to the United States to play in the USISL with the Raleigh Flyers (1995) and the National Champion Charleston Battery (1996). He then went on to play for the Richmond Kickers of the A-League (1997).

Named the South Carolina Player of the Year after leading the state in scoring in 1989, Appleby led Irmo High School to three consecutive state championships from 1987 to 1989.

Appleby inherits a team that went 18-4-0 in 2007 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Jays won their second straight and seventh overall Centennial Conference title in 2007. Johns Hopkins opens the 2008 season on Aug. 30 at home against Buffalo State at 1:00 pm in the Blue Jay Invitational.

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