Dec. 11, 2003
SAN DIEGO - One of the longest coaching tenures in San Diego State history came to an end Thursday when head women's soccer coach Chuck Clegg announced his retirement in order to devote more time to his family.
"Chuck represents nearly a quarter of a century of Aztec pride that will remain with the program for many years to come," said Aztec Director of Athletics Mike Bohn. "We are indebted for his leadership, dedication and affection for SDSU."
Clegg has been associated with San Diego State soccer for the past 24 years as a player, assistant coach and head coach of both the men's and women's programs. He is one of only two coaches in the nation to have coached athletes representing their respective countries in both the men's and women's World Cup.
"I've been blessed to be an Aztec for 29 soccer seasons," Clegg said. "I'm proud of the Aztec family and what we've accomplished at San Diego State."
He began as a player on the 1970 squad, before being drafted and sent to Vietnam with the U.S. Army. He returned for the 1974-76 campaigns. The Aztecs' record during his four seasons on the field was 38-11-4, and he was twice voted most inspirational player. Clegg graduated from SDSU in 1977 with a degree in physical education.
After serving as an assistant under George Logan from 1977 to 1981, he was named head coach for the 1982 season and continued to head up the men's programs through the 1999 season. In his 18 years in that capacity, he compiled a record of 194-134-39.
During his tenure with the men, he produced three national and 13 regional All-Americans, and his 1982 squad achieved a number-one national ranking. He took his 1987 squad to the final of the NCAA tournament, falling to Clemson, 2-0. Clegg and that '87 squad were inducted into the Aztec Hall of Fame last year. A total of 26 of his players went on to play professionally, and four of his former athletes appeared on the 1990, 1994 and 1998 U.S. Men's World Cup teams. Among the players he tutored at SDSU were international standouts Eric Wynalda, Marcelo Balboa, plus Olympian Kevin Crow.
In 1989, Clegg assumed duties as head coach of the new women's team. He relinquished that position after one season, but returned in 1994 and oversaw both the men and women's programs through 1999, when he gave up his head coaching position with the men's team to concentrate on the women's program.
In his 11 seasons with the women, he put together a mark of 122-81-8. Along the way, his teams won a pair of conference titles and made a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. His 1998 squad achieved a number-eight national ranking and advanced to the sweet 16 of that event.
Clegg has coached two players who have led their countries in international competition. Goalkeeper Linnea Quinones was a member of Mexico's 1999 World Cup squad while midfielder Danielle Small played for Australia in this year's tournament. In addition, current Aztec Lisette Martinez was a member of the Mexican team that competed at the U-19 Women's World Championship held in Canada in 2002.
Clegg won more than 300 games as a head soccer coach at San Diego State, and is the winningest coach in the history of both the men and women's soccer programs.