For Immediate Release
July 14, 2011
Courtesy of the Adelphi Athletics Communications Department
Garden City, N.Y. - Chris Armas was named the new head women's soccer coach at Adelphi University by Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics, Robert E. Hartwell. Armas becomes just the sixth head coach of the program, replacing mainstay Rich Ilsley who resigned in June after 21 years on the sidelines.
"I am overjoyed that an alumnus the stature of Chris Armas has agreed to be our next Head Women's Soccer Coach. His career at Adelphi led to a lengthy career of both National and International competition, building an immense soccer resume," Hartwell stated. "Adelphi also knows our "Hall of Famer" brings much more than an outstanding soccer portfolio to our campus, his teaching skills, passion, leadership and personality will make all our programs better."
Armas a 1994 graduate of Adelphi, he was both an NSCAA All-American and an Academic All-American. He has coached on the youth level with the Massapequa Soccer Club and the Albertson Soccer Club and brings a wealth of soccer knowledge and background to the Panthers.
"My family and I are grateful to Mr. Hartwell and Adelphi University for this opportunity and I am honored to continue the legacy of success created by Rich Ilsley," Armas commented. "I am extremely excited to take on this new challenge and it feels great to be back home here at Adelphi. My goal is to keep building a program that Adelphi University, our alumni, the community and our entire team can be proud of."
An integral member of the 1995 U.S. Interregional Soccer League champions Long Island Rough Riders, Armas went on to become a perennial MLS all-star for the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Chicago Fire. He was named a member of the MLS Best XI five times and played in MLS Cup four times, winning the trophy with the Fire in its expansion season in 1998.
A native of Brentwood, Armas made 66 appearances for the U.S. National Team, and retired from professional soccer after the 2007 MLS season to become an assistant coach with the Chicago Fire, before returning to Long Island in 2009.
He most recently taught physical education at St. Anthony's High School and coached the Albertson Under-16 team that qualified for the U.S. Soccer Developmental national playoffs.
Armas, will be filling a role held by Ilsley who was the winningest coach in Adelphi soccer history, directing the Panthers to a 275-91-30 record. That included 10 trips to the NCAA Division II tournament, five Final Four appearances and two national finals (1992 and 2004). The Panthers were 8-8-1 last year.
Adelphi will open the 2011 season at home against Northeast-10 opponent Merrimack College on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.
