September 4, 2002
GREENVILLE, SC -- Furman men's soccer coach Doug Allison announced the hiring of Daniel Alvarez as assistant coach on Tuesday.
Alvarez, a 2000 Furman graduate, replaces Ryan Higginbotham as assistant coach. Alvarez started his duties last week as he completed his season with the A-League's Hampton Roads Mariners. Alvarez will serve as assistant coach for the 2002 season before returning to his professional soccer career.
Alvarez is one of the most decorated soccer players in Furman history. Furman's all-time leader in assists with 41, Alvarez guided the 1999 Furman squad to its best-ever season, a 21-2-1 campaign which culminated in an NCAA quarterfinals appearance. Alvarez was the 2000 Furman Male Athlete-of-the-Year, the 1999 Southern Conference Player-of-the-year, a 1999 NSCAA first team All-America selection, and a 1999 Soccer America MVP choice.
Following his playing career, Alvarez became the first Furman soccer player to be drafted by Major League Soccer as he was a 4th round selection by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. He was later traded to the Tampa Bay Mutiny, but Alvarez elected to complete his Furman degree before beginning his professional career. He spent the 2000 season with the Charleston Battery of the A-League, before rejoining the Tampa Bay Mutiny. A torn ACL ended his 2001 season with the Mutiny prematurely. Alvarez was redrafted in the 2002 MLS draft by the Colorado Rapids, and spent the 2002 season playing with the Cincinnati Riverhawks and the Hampton Roads Mariners of the A-League.
"I am thrilled to have Daniel as an assistant coach," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "His familiarity with the program and passion for Furman will be a tremendous asset to us this season. His soccer background and leadership skills certainly are respected by our players."
"I am excited about this new chapter of my life," said Alvarez. "My four years as a Furman soccer player were four great years and I have followed the program closely since I graduated. It will be great to work with Coach Allison and the talented players on this team."