KANSAS CITY, Mo. - United Soccer Coaches announced on Thursday, Nov. 10 the recipients of the association's 2022 Long-Term Service awards for college, high school, and youth soccer. Bob Gray, former head coach of the University of Mobile Men's Soccer program from 1992-1994, was named as the recipient for this year's Bill Jeffrey College Long-Term Service Award.
Bob Gray | Barboursville, West Va.
Bill Jeffrey College Long-Term Service Award
A United Soccer Coaches member since 1978, Gray retired as the Head Men's Coach at Marshall University in 2016 after 22 years. He previously served in the same capacity at the University of Mobile (1992-94) and his alma mater Alderson-Broaddus College (1978-91). He compiled a career record of 445-204-40, including five national tournament appearances and was named National Coach of the Year in 1991. In his three seasons at Mobile, Gray recorded a 51-13-4 record at the helm of the program, leading the Rams to their first NAIA National Championship Tournament appearance in history in 1994. However, it was his service to the college game that endeared himself to colleagues.
He was a former President of the NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches Association where he was a leader in a number of initiatives that changed the way players and coaches were selected for postseason honors, how teams were seeded and bracketed for the national tournament, and created the NAIA's first Senior Bowl All-Star Game. In 1994, Gray was selected to coach for the World Cup Special Olympics held at Princeton, N.J., and in 2001 he was awarded the NSCAA National Merit Award from NISOA.
Gray organized and administered the annual Major League Soccer College Player Combine in Florida for many years prior to the league's annual player draft. He was also active teaching coaching courses as Director of Coaching for West Virginia Youth Soccer and as a member of the teaching staff for what was then the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
The Trenton, N.J., native is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame, the Alderson-Broaddus Athletic Hall of Fame, the Marshall University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the West Virginia Youth Soccer Hall of Fame. He recently inducted Uwe Tittl, former head coach of the University of Mobile Women's Soccer program, into the UM Soccer Hall of Fame this past October.
United Soccer Coaches Awards
The awards are presented annually to members who have exhibited a career of contributions to the sport at their level and a commitment to service to the association. Bob Gray (College), Gary Montalto (High School), and Vicki Sanford (Youth) are this year's recipients.
"Congratulations to Vicki, Bob, and Gary for being recognized for their long-term service to the game at their respective levels," said Ashlee Fontes-Comber. "It is an honor for us to award them for their career commitment to serving and advancing soccer and our association. We are forever appreciative for their service."
The honorees will be presented their awards at the annual United Soccer Coaches Awards Banquet, scheduled for Friday, January 13, 2023, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in conjunction with the association's 2023 83rd annual convention, January 11-15, in Philadelphia.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
