June 11, 2002
Chris Hughes Named Calvin Men's Soccer Coach
Chris Hughes has been named head men's soccer coach at Calvin College,
replacing David VerMerris who has stepped down from the position. VerMerris had
planned to remain as Athletic Recruitment Coordinator in the Calvin Admissions
Office but recently accepted the position as principal at Western Michigan
Christian High School.
VerMerris steps down after compiling a 48-26-5 record after four years as head
men's soccer coach at Calvin for a winning percentage of .639. Included in his
four-year tenure was 16-3-1 season in 1999 that saw Calvin gain a share of the
MIAA title with Alma.
"The work of Dave VerMerris has been very noteworthy," said Calvin men's
athletic director Dr. Marv Zuidema. "His passion for the game of the soccer and
ability to carry on the fine tradition of soccer at Calvin was outstanding."
The 33-year old Hughes graduated from Calvin in 1992 with a degree in business
and communications and currently serves as a financial representative with
Foresters Equity Services. A decade after graduating from Calvin, Hughes is sold
on the benefits of a Calvin education. "The number-one thing that Calvin offers
is faith-based learning," said Hughes. "That aspect is huge and serves you the
rest of your life. The education that Calvin offers is also top-notch. A
Calvin education is something you can be proud of having on your resume'."
A 1992 graduate of Calvin, Hughes becomes the sixth head coach in Calvin men's
soccer history including just the fourth head coach in the last 41 years. A Mt.
Clemens, Michigan, native and a graduate of Lutheran North High School, Hughes
was a four-year member of the Calvin men's soccer program a three-year member of
the Calvin varsity and a two-time All-MIAA honoree. As a marking back on
defense Hughes was named to the All-MIAA 2nd team in 1989 and to the All-MIAA
1st team in 1990. As a senior Hughes helped anchor a Calvin defensive unit that
allowed just six goals in 12 MIAA games on its way to a share of the MIAA title.
Before coming to Calvin, Hughes was a member of the German Sports Soccer Club
based in Mt. Clemens. After graduating from Calvin he was a member of the Bill
and Paul's Soccer Club for eight years.
Hughes, who served for the last eight years as Calvin jayvee coach, takes over
a Calvin varsity team that returns 16 letterwinners from a squad that posted an
11-6-2 record in 2001 and finished third in the MIAA with an 8-4-0 conference
mark.
"To have the opportunity to serve as head men's soccer coach at my alma mater
is a dream-come-true," said Hughes. "The men's soccer program at Calvin is full
of tradition and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue that
tradition."
Since the MIAA began men's soccer in 1970, Calvin has recorded a won-loss
record of 247-66-29 for a winning percentage of .764. Since its first year of
varsity play in 1959, Calvin has an overall won-loss record of 402-215-57 for a
winning percentage of .635. This past fall, Calvin joined Michigan State
University as the only collegiate programs in the state of Michigan to reach the
400-win plateau overall in men's soccer.
The Calvin men's soccer program was recognized nationally in 1999 when Calvin
and Dr. Marv Zuidema was awarded the prestigious Bill Jeffrey Award by the
National Soccer Coaches Association of American. The award is given annually
for excellence in pormoting collegiate soccer.
Since 1970, Calvin has won at least a share of 15 of a possible 32 MIAA titles
with its last MIAA title coming in 1999. Hughes feels that his 2002 team has
the ability to contend for one of the top spots in the league. "Our goal is to
continue to remain at or near the top in our league and I feel that we have the
talent to do that," said Hughes. "The big keys will be playing with our head
and our heart. I know the players are fired up for next season and so am I."
According to Hughes, his coaching philosophy will be built on fitness and
two-way play. "Our players need to be in great condition. I have told them to
make sure they are in shape when we open pre-season camp in August because we
are going to work hard," said Hughes. "Our style of play will be intense,
attacking soccer. In our system, every player will have the chance to move up
and score and every player will be responsible for playing defense including our
strikers."
Calvin men's athletic director Dr. Marv Zuidema issued support for Hughes in
his new position. "I am very pleased that Chris Hughes has accepted the
position as our head men's soccer coach," said Zuidema who served as head men's
soccer coach at Calvin while Hughes was a player for the Knights. "Chris is a
high-quality individual with a passion for the game of soccer, particularly at
Calvin College. He has experienced what soccer is about at Calvin as both a
player and as a coach and I am confident that he will do an outstanding job for
us."
Hughes and his wife Heather reside in Caledonia with their two sons MacKenzie,
3, and Caleb, 1.
-end-
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