EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville Director of Athletics Mark Spencer has announced the hiring of Marshall Ray as the sixth head coach of the Purple Aces men's soccer program.
 
"We had a fantastic pool of applicants and went through an exhaustive search process in order to find the right person," Spencer said.  "Over 60 applicants from coast-to-coast and around the world applied for the position; that pool included those who have worked for some of the top BCS programs in the nation.  This process showed just how respected our program is."
 
"I told Marshall at the beginning that he would have been the easy choice, but I wanted to make sure he was the right choice," Spencer added.  "After the search, I am 100% sure that he is the right choice for the future of UE men's soccer."
 
Ray's ties to the UE program date back to the mid 1990's when he was an outstanding player for the Purple Aces under head coach Fred Schmalz.  As a freshman, Ray was the starting center back for Evansville in the 1995 Missouri Valley Conference final versus Creighton.  He was a member of the 1996 Missouri Valley Conference championship team that played in the NCAA Tournament. 
 
After battling through injuries in the middle of his collegiate career, Ray rebounded to finish the 1999 season as the second-leading scorer.  A 2000 graduate of UE, Ray was named to the NSCAA Scholar-Athlete All-Region Team as a senior. 
 
"I want to thank Mark Spencer for giving me the opportunity to be the next head coach of the University of Evansville Men's Soccer program," Ray said.  "Since I began my journey in collegiate coaching this is the position I have aspired for.
 
"UE's campus is a special place and the relationships that I have established as a student and staff member have played a critical role in my development personally and professionally," he added.  "There are exciting times ahead for our athletic department under Mark's leadership.  He has a vision for our program and I look forward to working with him to lead our program to the top of the MVC and in the forefront of the nation."
 
For the last nine seasons, Ray has been the top assistant to previous head coach Mike Jacobs.  The last six have seen Ray serve as an Associate Head Coach.  Ray has been regarded as one of the top assistants in the nation and was honored as the NSCAA Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year following the 2013 season.
 
Prior to joining the Evansville coaching staff in 2006, Ray worked at Duke University under legendary coach John Rennie where he was involved in recruiting, player development and day-to-day operations of the 2005 ACC Tournament Champions. 
 
He played professionally for the A-League Nashville Metros in 2001 before working four seasons at Drury University.  Following two seasons as an assistant, Ray took over the Drury program in 2003.  At the age of 24, he was the youngest Division I coach in the country.
 
Ray and wife Julia have three children, Patrick, Hilary and Eliza.
 
"Soccer is a priority for our University and the city of Evansville.  I am privileged to call this community home and excited to lead its team now and far into the future.  I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead," Ray added.
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:

Bill Vieth - former University of Evansville head coach
"Marshall brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the soccer program.  He knows what it takes to play at the highest collegiate level and we look forward to him putting UE back on the soccer map. 
 
John Rennie - former head coach - Duke University
"Marshall Ray will do a great job as the new head soccer coach at Evansville. I know it fulfills a lifetime goal and Marshall is more than ready to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity. He was an outstanding asset to me and our program at Duke University and I am a big fan. His background as a player and coach is superb and he has a wonderful way of working with players. Congratulations to the Purple Aces on a great hire."

Mick Lyon - former All-American, former University of Evansville and Indiana University women's soccer head coach
"What a great hire for UE. Marshall will bring the kind of excitement and experience that Evansville needs to continue the stories success of UE soccer."