Tuesday, August 3, 2004

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Louis Thorpe has been named as an assistant coach with the Tusculum College men's soccer program announced TC head coach Tony Castainca. Thorpe replaces Mike McLean, who accepted a position as club coach with Diadora Impact in Knoxville, Tenn.

Thorpe, a native of The Gambia, West Africa, comes to the Greeneville campus after four years at King College. While at the Bristol, Tenn. school, Thorpe assisted with the men and women's programs while serving as women's head coach during the 2002 season. That team posted an 11-6-1 record while advancing to the Tennessee-Virginia Athletic Conference (TVAC) Tournament semifinal.

He helped guide the King women's soccer program to a pair of NAIA District runner-up showings in 2000 and 2001, while the 2001 men's squad advanced to the District semifinal.

Thorpe, a 1992 King graduate, was a two-time All-American with the Tornado. He led his squad to a share of the 1990 conference title, which was also captured by Tusculum during its days as a TVAC member. During his collegiate playing career, Thorpe was a three-time All-Region and four-time All-Conference selection.

"This is a great opportunity for us as a program," said Castainca. "I have known Louis for several years and we are very lucky to have a person of his caliber. He was an exceptional player and a fine coach and I know are team will enjoy working with Louis in the future."

Prior to his arrival at King, he played for The Gambia National Team, including as a member of the 1985 squad that advanced to the Junior World Cup.

"For me, this is a dream come true," said Thorpe. "The timing felt so right and I'm looking forward to working with Coach Castainca. I have known Coach "C" for 16 years and it will be a pleasure to coach with him and be a member of the Tusculum staff."

He holds memberships with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and the Tennessee Soccer Coaches Association.

Tusculum College, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA, is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference, which is comprised of eight colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.