Over the course of winter break, Fresno State̢۪s women̢۪s soccer coach Steve Springthorpe was offered a head coaching position at North Carolina State of the Atlantic Coast Conference. After five years at the helm of Bulldog soccer, Springthorpe made the decision to accept the NC State coaching vacancy and move back east.̢۬
“I just got in a couple days ago, and I’m excited to be back 
on the East Coast,â€Â Springthorpe said. “However, I cannot express the 
gratitude and thanks that I have for the Athletic Department at Fresno 
State, and how grateful I am for President Welty believing in me back 
in 2004.â€Â
Springthorpe kicked team into gear
During his tenure, Springthorpe posted a 52-̢۬39-13 overall record. Previous to Springthorpe, no coach in Fresno State history was ̢۬ever able to take Bulldog soccer to an NCAA Tournament. Springthorpe ̢۬led the Bulldogs to two NCAA Tournament appearances, as well as one ̢۬regular season WAC title and two WAC Tournament Championships. In ̢۬addition, 25 student-athletes were selected as All-WAC athletes, and ̢۬39 student-athletes were named Academic All-WAC. In 2006, Springthorpe ̢۬also garnered WAC Coach of the Year honors.
“It was quite a run, but I will always have a little Bulldog 
in me,â€Â Springthorpe said. “The move definitely hasn’t made it any 
easier on how much I truly miss all of the individuals whom I have had 
the pleasure of working with at Fresno State.â€Â
Student-athletes, administration seek to fill the void
Current players on the roster say they will miss Springthorpe ̢۬as well and the news came as a shock to them back on Jan. 6.̢۬
“We all didn’t see it coming, and didn’t know what to expect – wondering who the new coach will be,â€Â sophomore midfielder Lauren Satterlee said.
“Steve will be missed by all of us, but I respect his 
decision doing what he needed to do for himself and his family.â€Â

Athletic Director Thomas Boeh says Springthorpe is a class act, and that the athletic department will miss him greatly.
“Steve’s commitment and character during his time here are 
truly appreciated by many,â€Â Boeh said. “Over the past five years, 
Springthorpe’s success has contributed heavily to our athletic department’s overall achievement. We are grateful for the service that Steve has provided Fresno State, and wish him well in his new 
challenges at NC State.â€Â

The athletic department will hold an important meeting with ̢۬student-athletes today regarding the coaching situation. While ̢۬practice begins again on Monday, Fresno State is currently conducting its national search to fill the position immediately.
