From NYU Athletics
Kim Wyant, the first goalkeeper in the history of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team and recipient of the Special Recognition Award from the National Soccer Hall of Fame, has been selected as the new Head Coach of the New York University men's soccer program.
Wyant, who began her fifth season as an assistant on the NYU women's soccer coaching staff earlier this week, helped the squad post an overall 42-27-6 (.600) record during her first four seasons, including a NCAA Tournament appearance in 2014.
Wyant, who succeeds long-time Head Coach Joe Behan who resigned on Thursday due to family health reasons, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the program, boasting an extensive resume as both a player and coach.
"We are extremely fortunate to have someone with so much experience and success able to step in and lead our men's program at such a critical time," said Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics Christopher Bledsoe.
A native of Miami, FL, Wyant played for the U.S. National Team in the squad's inaugural game in Italy in 1985. In all, she played 16 games as the U.S. goalkeeper, recording the team's first-ever win and shutout. She received the Special Recognition Award from the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2008 for her contributions to the National Team.
Wyant also played for the Long Island Lady Riders of the W-League for nine years. She helped lead the Lady Riders to two W-League Championships, as well as to a victory over the Brazilian Women's National Team. Wyant won W-League Goalkeeper of the Year honors in four consecutive seasons, was honored as its Most Valuable Player of the 1997 Championship Series and was a two-time All-Star.
Following retirement, Wyant was named General Manager of the Lady Riders. Under her direction, the team twice received W-League Organization of the Year honors. In 2002, Wyant served as Lady Riders' Interim Head Coach, leading them to the playoffs and an 11-1-1 overall record. In 2004, she was inducted into the United Soccer League's Hall of Fame.
In addition to her time at NYU, Wyant has also accumulated other significant coaching experience at the collegiate level. She served as Head Coach at Florida Atlantic University (1994-97) and Dowling College (2003-04), and as an assistant coach at Stony Brook University (2000) and Dowling (2005).
Wyant was also a member of the Region I U.S. National Team's goalkeeping staff, served as a FIFA staff coach and as the Head Coach for the Long Island Girls' Select Program.
A 1989 graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, Wyant had a stellar four-year career with the Knights. As a freshman, she earned UCF Rookie of the Year honors, started in the first-ever NCAA Women's National Championship Game and was named Tournament MVP. A First Team All-American as a senior, Wyant was inducted into the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
A licensed U.S. soccer coach and holder of a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Premier Diploma, Wyant is the creator and founder of Above-All Goalkeeping camps. In addition, she currently serves as the Head Coach of the New York Athletic Club's women's soccer team which won the U.S. Amateur Soccer Association National Open Cup in 2014 and as the Director of Coaching for Long Island's Brentwood Soccer Club.
"I am very excited to be chosen to lead the NYU men's soccer program," Wyant said. "I want to thank the administration for having the utmost confidence in my ability and for this amazing opportunity. I am looking forward to getting on the field and preparing the team for our upcoming matches."
Wyant's first game at the helm of the Violets' program will be this Saturday, September 5, at home at Gaelic Park in Riverdale, NY. NYU hosts Manhattanville College with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 pm.