Paul Holocher
Encyclopedia
Paul Holocher is a former U.S. soccer midfielder who played in Austria and Major League Soccer
. He currently coaches the men’s soccer team at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He also earned one caps with the U.S. national team
in 1996.
where he played for future national team coach Steve Sampson
from 1988 to 1991. In 1989, the Broncos were NCAA co-champions
with the University of Virginia
. In 1990, Holocher was a third team All American and ended his four seasons with the Broncos as the team’s all time career scorer.http://www.nscaa.com/awards-src.php
of the American Professional Soccer League
(APSL). In 1991, the Blackhawks won the APSL championship. In 1992, the Blackhawks went 8-8. The owner of the Blackhawks decided to take the team to a lower division and so in 1993 the renamed San Jose Hawks spent one year in the USISL. The Hawks won their division and went to the Sizzlin’ Six tournament where Holocher was named MVP. Despite this success the team folded at the end of 1993. Holocher moved to Europe where he signed with Austrian First Division club Admira Wacker. However after spending only the 1993-1994 season in Austria, Holocher was back in the U.S. with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers
(APSL).http://22066.vws.magma.ca/apsl10.htm The Strikers folded at the end of the season and Holocher moved back west to the Monterey Bay Jaguars (USISL) which played in Santa Clara, California. The Jaguars won their division and went to the Sizzlin’ Nine tournament.
In February 1996, the San Jose Clash of Major League Soccer
(MLS) selected Holocher in the fifth round (forty-eighth overall) of the league’s Inaugural Player Draft
. Holocher injured his knee in April 1996 did not play again until the post-season. He saw time in five games and scored one goal for the Clash. Holocher began the 1997 season with the Clash, but they waived him on April 10, 1997. Holocher returned to the Jaguars, now known as the California Jaguars
.
In 1998, the Chicago Fire of MLS picked Holocher in the second round (sixteenth overall) of the Supplemental Draft
but did not sign him.
for the game, a 4-1 loss to Peru
on October 16, 1996. Holocher was a second half substitute for Ted Eck
at forward.
(UC Santa Cruz) also hired Holocher as its NCAA Division III men’s soccer coach. In January 2006, Holocher left UC Santa Cruz to become the head coach at NCAA Division I Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In his eight seasons at UC Santa Cruz, Holocher compiled a 109-24-8 record. He also took the Slugs to the 2004 Division III championship game
where his team lost 4-0 to Messiah
.
In 2004, Holocher was inducted into the Santa Clara University Athletic Hall of Fame.http://www.scu.edu/scm/spring2004/mm-halloffame.cfm
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. He currently coaches the men’s soccer team at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He also earned one caps with the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in 1996.
College
Holocher attended Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara University
Santa Clara University is a private, not-for-profit, Jesuit-affiliated university located in Santa Clara, California, United States. Chartered by the state of California and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, it operates in collaboration with the Society of Jesus , whose...
where he played for future national team coach Steve Sampson
Steve Sampson
Steve Sampson is a soccer coach and the former head coach of the United States men's national team and the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer...
from 1988 to 1991. In 1989, the Broncos were NCAA co-champions
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
The NCAA began conducting a Men's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1959 with an eight-team tournament. Currently, the tournament field consists of 48 teams...
with the University of Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers
The Virginia Cavaliers, also known as Wahoos or Hoos, are the athletic teams officially representing the University of Virginia in college sports. The Cavaliers compete in 25 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
. In 1990, Holocher was a third team All American and ended his four seasons with the Broncos as the team’s all time career scorer.http://www.nscaa.com/awards-src.php
Professional
In 1991, Holocher turned professional with the San Francisco Bay BlackhawksSan Francisco Bay Blackhawks
San Francisco Bay Blackhawks was a professional soccer team which came into existence in 1989 as a team in the Western Soccer League . The Blackhawks spent time in the American Professional Soccer League and the United States Interregional Soccer League...
of the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
(APSL). In 1991, the Blackhawks won the APSL championship. In 1992, the Blackhawks went 8-8. The owner of the Blackhawks decided to take the team to a lower division and so in 1993 the renamed San Jose Hawks spent one year in the USISL. The Hawks won their division and went to the Sizzlin’ Six tournament where Holocher was named MVP. Despite this success the team folded at the end of 1993. Holocher moved to Europe where he signed with Austrian First Division club Admira Wacker. However after spending only the 1993-1994 season in Austria, Holocher was back in the U.S. with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Fort Lauderdale Strikers (APSL)
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers were an American soccer team established in 1988 as part of the third American Soccer League. In 1990, it moved to the American Professional Soccer League where it spent five seasons before folding in 1994...
(APSL).http://22066.vws.magma.ca/apsl10.htm The Strikers folded at the end of the season and Holocher moved back west to the Monterey Bay Jaguars (USISL) which played in Santa Clara, California. The Jaguars won their division and went to the Sizzlin’ Nine tournament.
In February 1996, the San Jose Clash of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(MLS) selected Holocher in the fifth round (forty-eighth overall) of the league’s Inaugural Player Draft
1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft
The MLS Inaugural Player Draft, held before Major League Soccer's initial 1996 season, distributed players who had already graduated from college to the league's ten inaugural teams. The draft occurred on February 6 and 7, 1996...
. Holocher injured his knee in April 1996 did not play again until the post-season. He saw time in five games and scored one goal for the Clash. Holocher began the 1997 season with the Clash, but they waived him on April 10, 1997. Holocher returned to the Jaguars, now known as the California Jaguars
California Jaguars
California Jaguars were an American soccer team that played in Salinas, California at the Salinas Sports Complex.They joined the USISL in 1995 as the Monterey Bay Jaguars, but changed the name a year later...
.
In 1998, the Chicago Fire of MLS picked Holocher in the second round (sixteenth overall) of the Supplemental Draft
1998 MLS Supplemental Draft
The three-round 1998 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft was held on February 1, 1998 at the Airport Hilton in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.-Format:Major League Soccer held a professional player combine in Fort Lauderdale the last week of January 1998. On Saturday, January 31, 1998, the league held...
but did not sign him.
National team
In 1996, the national team players went on strike just prior to a game in Peru. Holocher was called into the U.S. national teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
for the game, a 4-1 loss to Peru
Peru national football team
The Peru national football team, known as 'el equipo inca', represents Peru in international football competition and is managed by the Peruvian Football Federation . The team competes against the other nine members of FIFA's CONMEBOL conference, which encompasses the countries of South America...
on October 16, 1996. Holocher was a second half substitute for Ted Eck
Ted Eck
Ted Eck is a retired American soccer player who played for numerous clubs in the United States and Canada over a thirteen year professional career. He also earned thirteen caps with the U.S. national team between 1989 and 1996.He coached the Ogden Outlaws in the USL Premier Development League...
at forward.
Coaching
In 1999, Holocher entered the coaching ranks both at the collegiate and the youth soccer levels. He founded the Catalyst Soccer Club that year and coached in the Premier Futbol Club of Santa Cruz County. In 1999, the University of California, Santa CruzUniversity of California, Santa Cruz
The University of California, Santa Cruz, also known as UC Santa Cruz or UCSC, is a public, collegiate university; one of ten campuses in the University of California...
(UC Santa Cruz) also hired Holocher as its NCAA Division III men’s soccer coach. In January 2006, Holocher left UC Santa Cruz to become the head coach at NCAA Division I Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In his eight seasons at UC Santa Cruz, Holocher compiled a 109-24-8 record. He also took the Slugs to the 2004 Division III championship game
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
The NCAA began conducting a Men's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1959 with an eight-team tournament. Currently, the tournament field consists of 48 teams...
where his team lost 4-0 to Messiah
Messiah College
Messiah College is a private Christian college of the liberal arts and applied arts and sciences located in Grantham, Pennsylvania, near the capital city of Harrisburg...
.
In 2004, Holocher was inducted into the Santa Clara University Athletic Hall of Fame.http://www.scu.edu/scm/spring2004/mm-halloffame.cfm
External links
- http://www.costaricasoccer.com/photogallery_santacruz/Paul_Holocher_and_Steve_Sampson_detail.htmPhoto of Holocher with Steve SampsonSteve SampsonSteve Sampson is a soccer coach and the former head coach of the United States men's national team and the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer...
] - Coaching overview