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Southern Connecticut State University Men’s Soccer To Unveil Raymond, Sr. and Joan Reid Wall of Excellence On Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023

Men's Soccer

Southern Connecticut State University Men’s Soccer To Unveil Raymond, Sr. and Joan Reid Wall of Excellence On Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Southern Connecticut State University Men's Soccer will unveil the Raymond, Sr. and Joan Reid Wall of Excellence on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

"Southern Connecticut State University helped make me who I am today," former Owls head coach Ray Reid said. "Coach Dikranian is one of the best coaches in America and shaped me in so many positive ways. My parents loved SCSU, and what the soccer program stood for. For 17 years, their calendar was built around the Fall schedule. I am so happy that this is happening for them."

Southern Connecticut will host longtime rival Southern New Hampshire at 2 p.m. that day and a reception in the lobby of the James Moore Field House will follow beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and those wishing to attend are kindly asked to RSVP. For those who can't make the unveiling in person, a live video stream will be available. 

"I am truly honored by what Southern Connecticut State University is doing for us," Joan Reid said. "My husband, Ray, would be so excited if he was here."

The Reid Family's gift of $100,000 is a pledge and call for support from further generations of players, coaches, and families to give the same unconditional support that the Reid Family has given to SCSU.

"The Reid Family has provided unconditional love and support to Southern Connecticut, and their legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of the SCSU community," Owls head coach Kevin Anderson said. "Their contributions and commitment to the SCSU Men's Soccer program will never be forgotten and we are forever grateful for all that they have done."

Reid was a standout on the SCSU men's soccer team from 1980 through 1982, leading the Owls to three consecutive NCAA National Championship Final Fours. He joined the Owls as an assistant coach under Owls legend Bob Dikranian in 1983 and served until 1988, winning a NCAA Division II National Championship in 1987. In 1989, he was named the second head coach in SCSU men's soccer history and led the Owls to the 1990, 1992 and 1995 NCAA Division II National Championships. In 1997, he was named the head coach at University of Connecticut where, over a period of 24 years until his retirement in 2021, he led the Huskies to the 2000 NCAA Division I National Championship while also winning eight Big East Regular-Season Championships and four Big East Tournament titles. He was a four-time NSCAA National Coach of the Year.

"Ray did a great job when he took over the program, winning three NCAA Championships," Dikranian said. "As a coach, you look for consistency in ability and Ray was very consistent. He didn't have any bad games, he had good games and we knew what we would get from him every game. He knew his role and his responsibilities on the field, and he performed well. Those qualities are what made him a great coach – in his success on the field and supporting his programs. His donation to the program shows his loyalty and desire to help keep the rich tradition of Southern Connecticut soccer in high respect."

The Raymond, Sr. and Joan Reid Wall of Excellence at Southern Connecticut State University is in recognition of the Reid Family's generous gift to SCSU Men's Soccer. Joan and Ray Reid, Sr. were dedicated supporters of SCSU Men's Soccer for over two decades, during which the Owls saw unprecedented success with six NCAA Division II National Championships. That era of SCSU Men's Soccer was affectionately referred to as "The Decade of Dominance".  
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For Media Information, Please Contact:
Ken Sweeten
Southern Connecticut State University
Associate Director of Athletics/Athletic Communications
sweetenk1@southernct.edu
 
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