STORRS, CT (January 30) – University of Connecticut men’s
soccer coach Ray Reid, UConn women’s soccer coach Len Tsantiris and former Husky
standout Tara (Buckley) O’Sullivan were all named to the 2003 Induction Class of
the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame at the induction dinner on January 25, 2003
at the Farmington Marriott.
Reid led UConn to the NCAA Men’s National Championship in
2000, in his fourth season at Connecticut. In that year, he was named the NCAA
Division I Coach of the Year. Reid took over the coaching reins after directing
the Southern Connecticut State University program to NCAA Division II national
titles in 1990, 1992 and 1995. His overall 12-year record as a collegiate head
coach is 245-
47-21. He led SCSU
to six trips to the NCAA Division II ‘Final Four’, including a ‘Final Four’
berth each of his last five seasons at the school. Reid was a two-year captain
(1980-81) during his playing days at Southern.
Tsantiris has been the UConn women’s head coach for 22-years,
and has advanced to 22 consecutive NCAA National Tournaments, including three
visits to the NCAA Championship Game in 1984, 1990 and 1997. He has also guided
the Huskies to seven National ‘Final Fours’. Tsantiris was voted the 1997 NCAA
Coach of the Year. In his 22 seasons in charge of the UConn women’s soccer
program, Tsantiris has compiled a 382-96-22 overall record, placing him second
on the all-time women’s soccer college win list. He was also a standout player
at UConn during its surge to national prominence in the early 1970’s. In
addition, he coached the E.O. Smith High School girl’s team to three consecutive
undefeated seasons and state titles.
The only four-time All-American at UConn (1980-83) and a
member of the first US Women’s National Team, O’Sullivan was the first and one
of only two members of the Connecticut women’s soccer program to have her number
retired. Her defensive prowess helped UConn reach the NCAA finals in 1984 before
falling to North Carolina. She earned two caps with the United States National
Team and was in the National Team player pool for three years (1983-95). She
also played for the US Sports Festival East Team (1985), earned UConn MVP honors
(1982-83) and was selected an ‘Outstanding Senior Athlete (1984). In addition,
O’Sullivan also holds an USSF National B Coaching License.
The trio joins former UConn men’s soccer coach Joseph J.
Morrone, men’s soccer standouts Frantz Innocent, John Squires, Pedro DeBrito and
Joseph M. Morrone and women’s soccer player Felice Duffy to the list of
inductees dating back to the first Class of 1999.
