The longtime coach for the Men's Soccer Team at UCONN had anounced today by the United Soccer Coaches that this fund, he has been very much involved with this the largest coaches group on the globe during his time coaching.
This is some major money, the opening amount was $25,000 to be followed up with a $75,000 estate gift. This is to fund a scholarship for a minority coach to be present at an Educations course or Convention. While Reid remains at the collegiate level, this fund is open soley to college coaches, upon his retirement, it opens up to any level.
Jeff Vennell, Foundatoin Committee Chair informed, "Ray Reid's generous donation to the United Soccer Coaches Foundatoin will enable the Foundation to support an annual educational coaching experience for a minority college coach. It is a wonderful example of Ray's dedication to coaching, coaching education and the fund makes an important statement during the current national environment."
Now in his 24th year at the helm of the Huskies and 32nd overall as a HC at the college level, his record of 450-142-76 is amazing. His teams have taken 4 NCAA Championships, even in 2001 while in Storrs. Under his tutelage, they have reached 18 NCAA Tournies, 9 regular season conferences and he has been 4X named the National Coach of the Year.
Reid informed, "Our sport desperately needs more diversity in all of our coaching ranks. Hopefully, this donation will help provide more opportunities for minority coaches to attend coaching education courses, furthering their ability to mentor and impact players while growing the game we all love. I also want to thank United Soccer Coaches for providing me a pathway to help others, The association does a fantastic job of engaging coaches and promoting soccer at all levels throughout the United States."
Of course, he is from Long Island, out of Brentwood where they just won the Boy's HS title. He, like the late coach at Brentwood High School, Ray Perez has a brother involved with the USC, and a top coach himself, Ralph.
Ray has had 41 MLS players pass through his program including Andrew Jean Baptiste who was a top draft pick, played for a few teams including the New York Red Bulls and has been a mainstay with the Haitian National Soccer team for years, a fellow Brentwood grad.
Kevin Sims, USC Pez. told, "Coach Reid's generosity in support of the United Soccer Coaches Foundation will expand opportunities for minority coaches to pass along their love of the game, paying forward as Ray has done so graciously throughout his career. We applaud Ray's initiiative to bring the beautiful game into deserving communities. This contribution move our sport and our association toward the goal of universal access."
Lynn Berling-Manuel CEO USC said of this "Coach Reid has continued the UCONN tradition of both great college soccer and giving back to young coaches. The Ray Reid Family Fund is an important addition to the United Soccer Coaches Foundation."
Chaka Daley, HC Univ Michigan: "I have known Coach Reid since 2000, when I began my college coaching career. Not only has he been a tremendous resource and ally professionally, Coach Reid and I have become very good friends as he has assisted in mentoring me on my journey in the world of coaching and all that it encompasses. A legacy gift like this does not surprise me, as he has always been an equal opportunist in his hiring practices and recruitment of student-athletes. "
Chris Gbandi, HC Men's Soccer, Northeastern U. & 2000 UCONN player stated, "Coach Reid is an unique and special coach. HIs ability and willingness to create a welcoming and diverse program during his long and illustrioius career at UCONN will be one of his lasting legacies."
Bryheem Hancock HC Men's Soccer Radford U, 2000 UCONN Soccer Alum shared, "Coach Reid has been an ambassador in the pursuit of equal opportunity for all coaches regardless of your skin color, ethnicity or economic background. This speaks volumes of the person I already know Coach Reid is"