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Lugris Returns to Head SJC Men's Soccer Program

Lugris Returns to Head SJC Men's Soccer Program

Patchogue, NY| St. Joseph's College (L.I.) Vice President & Senior Director of Athletics & Recreation Shantey M. Hill is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Lugris to the position of head coach of the institution's men's soccer team.

Lugris returns to SJC where he formerly served as assistant coach of the men's soccer team for the 2016 season and with the women's soccer team in 2017. He has a wide range of coaching experience spanning across more than 20 years. As a Puerto Rican Soccer Hall of Fame inductee (2014), Lugris' distinguished playing career is the cornerstone of his soccer education. As ENY State Champion with Hicksville Americans and two-time New York City and State Champion at Holy Cross High school in Queens, Lugris earned a scholarship to Fordham University.

After four successful years at Fordham, Lugris was selected 20th overall by the New York Cosmos in the 1982 NASL Draft. His professional playing career spanned 12 years with stops in Houston, Columbus, Dallas, Toronto and Spain. Lugris also played internationally, representing Puerto Rico in three World Cup qualifying cycles and four Caribbean Cups. In 1993, the Puerto Rico National team earned its highest-ever a FIFA ranking (93) and qualified for the Caribbean Cup final.

Lugris was inducted into the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame and named New York City Soccer Gala Honoree in 2014. During his time as a player and coach, Lugris was exposed to many different coaching philosophies and management styles. He continues his soccer education by visiting top academies in Europe like Athletic de Bilbao and Futbol Club Barcelona and bases his methodology on the Royal Spanish Football Federation's principles.

Lugris is currently the Technical Director of Youth Development at Northport Cow Harbor United SC. His college coaching experience includes two stints as the assistant coach of Fordham University men's soccer program.