Coach Garth Pollonais

Erskine's Pollonais Named CVAC Men's Soccer Coach of the Year

Erskine Head Men’s Soccer Coach Garth Pollonais has been named the 2000 Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference Coach of the Year, as voted on by the men’s soccer coaches. The announcement of the Coach of the Year was made at the annual CVAC Soccer Tournament, held in Wilson, N.C.

In his first year as head coach at Erskine, Pollonais led the team to a 6-5 CVAC record, a sixth-place finish, and an 8-11 overall record. The team overcame a 1-7 start and numerous injuries to win seven of its final ten regular-season games.

"I’m very surprised to receive this honor, but the recognition goes to the team," said Pollonais. "We made tremendous strides during the second half of the season and became one of the better teams in the conference. Our seniors improved their play and were a major part of our success. I think our returning players have learned how hard a team must work to reach the upper tier of the conference and will be ready for that level next season."

Pollonais was a four-time NAIA All-American at Erskine from 1986-89. In his senior year he scored 34 goals as Erskine compiled a 19-4 record, the best in the school’s history. Pollonais’ 87 career goals are the second most all-time for an Erskine player and the most for any Flying Fleet player who graduated after 1972. He was 1989 NAIA District 6 Player of the Year.

"Although the record and team finish were not the very top of the league as with most Coach of the Year winners, our strong finish got the attention of the league coaches," said Athletic Director Chip Sherer. "Garth did a great job in both coaching and motivating the team to play to its potential. We’re certainly excited about the future of the program under his leadership."