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Ferguson Named New Women's Soccer Coach
July 12, 2000 | Women's Soccer
January 5, 2000
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Karen Ferguson, an assistant coach at the University of Connecticut for the past three years, has been named Head Coach of the University of Louisville Women's Soccer team. The Huskies were 60-12-2 during the three years she spent as an assistant and advanced to the final eight twice (1998 and '99), and were national runner-up in 1997.
"We're ecstatic to add an individual in such high demand as Karen to our staff," said Director of Athletics Tom Jurich. "Her name kept rising to the top during our national search and comes to us with incredible recommendations. We're going to take the necessary steps to upgrade this program to the top of Conference USA and to be competitive on a national level."
"During my interview it was obvious to me that U of L is capable of fielding a team that can not only compete regionally, but on a national level as well," said Ferguson. "There has been a huge commitment to upgrading all facilities, and the other intangibles that go into creating a successful program."
A 1993 graduate of the University of Connecticut, Ferguson has coached under and played for legendary soccer coach Len Tsantiris who enters his 20th season leading the Huskies.
"She is ready to go," said Tsantiris. "Louisville has hired a quality person who has done well with every duty I have given her whether it be recruiting, player development or day-to-day operations. We are sad to see her go, but also excited about this opportunity for her."
Since the NCAA Division I soccer tournament began, only North Carolina and Connecticut have been invited to the tournament every season.
Before coaching at UConn, Ferguson served as an assistant at Boston University during its first two seasons of soccer where the team was 24-7-2 overall.
While playing midfield for the Huskies, Ferguson was named All-America, All-Northeast, and All-New England three times. The Huskies were 63-24-3 during her four-year career and she tallied 53 points(18 goals and 17 assists.)
In 1990 as a freshman, the Huskies competed in the national semifinal where she was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team. Soccer America Magazine selected her as a Team MVP in 1992, an award given to 11 players nationally.
In addition to her collegiate career, Ferguson played for the U.S. National Team in 1992 and 1993. She has been involved in the Connecticut Olympic Development Program and served as staff coach in Region One. Ferguson holds an NSCAA Advanced National Soccer license. A native of Holbrook, N.Y., she graduated from Sachem High School.
Ferguson replaces Karla Thompson who resigned in November. She will be the eighth coach in the 16 years of the program. The 2000 team will play home matches in the soon to be completed Cardinal Park this fall.
