Austin Daniels, the former head coach of the women's soccer team who led the Hawks to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four appearance in 1992, passed away on July 14. He had a long and courageous battle with cancer, but he never stopped enjoying his work or his friendships, especially those with his former players.
A Hartford native, Daniels has spent his career developing the sport of soccer among youth and collegiate players, compiling an illustrious record of 103 wins, 35 losses and 6 ties in seven seasons at Hart (1989-1995). He scouted and developed seven All-Americans during his coaching career and was named Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association in 1989.
His most memorable season was in 1992, when the Hawks went 19-2 and advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, eventually losing 1-0 to Duke. Daniels was inducted into the University of Hartford Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.
“When I began working as an academic adviser for Austin’s team at the University of Hartford, I never expected our working relationship to develop into a close friendship that has lasted 35 years,” says Andrea (Miller) Marshall, former vice provost for academic affairs and later associate director of the Center for Student Success.
“Thanks to our seven-year daily working relationship, I got to see him as a coach and a person who went beyond sports to help his players learn to compete not only on the football field but also in their academics and personal lives,” Marshall recalled. “Austin had an incredible ability to connect with his players and people of all ages and cultures, as evidenced by his extensive list of contacts. Austin's skills, passion and personal values were passed on to his players, friends and family. He will be missed but the great memories will last forever.”
“He was a special person. He was like a brother to me and my daughters loved him,” said Ted Stavropoulos, former senior assistant athletic director for facilities. “He worked hard everywhere he went and in everything he did. He will be truly missed.”
The two first met while playing in local soccer leagues, and when Daniels headed west to work as an assistant coach at Colorado College, Stavropoulos, who was then starting the women's soccer program at Hart University, promised Daniels, “I'll bring you back here one day.” That day came five years later, when Daniels took over at the helm of Hartford women's soccer. “Austin was in my office the first week, and we saw each other and knew the Hawks would be in the NCAA Tournament within two years.”
After a few years in Hartford, Daniels headed west again to start up the women's soccer program at the University of Colorado. In 2001, he became the technical director for Connecticut Academica FC and then spent three years as head coach of the New England Mutiny (Women's Premier Soccer League). In 2004, Daniels was named the league's Coach of the Year after leading the Mutiny to the national finals.
Daniels recently served as technical director for the Arizona Youth Soccer Association, technical advisor for the U.S. Soccer Federation and coaching director for Ballistic United Soccer Club. Through all of his roles, he cherished the opportunity to emphasize to soccer coaches at all levels that incorporating a fun environment is just as important as teaching skills and drills.
At the National Soccer Coaches Association convention in January of this year, Daniels was inducted into the Black Coaching Community Hall of Fame. This prestigious national honor is one of many inductions Daniels has received, including the University of Hartford Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame, the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame, the Connecticut Women's Soccer Hall of Fame, the Women's Premier Soccer League Hall of Fame and the Watkinson School Hall of Fame.
“I never thought about awards,” Daniels said in January. “I got into this sport because I love it and I want to grow it.”
And he did just that, helping countless young men and college students become better football players and better people.
A ceremony celebrating Austin's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, August 4th at 24 Wildwood Road in Farmington, CT.
