Susan Bush Named Head Soccer Coach
3/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
March 29, 2007
HOUSTON - Houston native Susan Bush, a former standout player at North Carolina, was named the University of Houston's soccer coach Friday, UH director of athletics Dave Maggard announced.
Bush, the third head coach in program history, had spent the previous two years as Houston's top assistant and recruiting coordinator. She replaces Bill Solberg who resigned to accept a position with FC Milwaukee in Wisconsin.
"Susan's been an outstanding recruter and a great student of the game," Maggard said. "She has high visibility and great respect around the country, but especially in the state of Texas. She will continue to be a great asset to our program and soon will have the women's soccer team in position to challenge for the Conference USA championship and gain national recognition."
During Bush's time at Houston, she tutored Sophia Mundy, the first two-time All C-USA First Team selection in program history. The program enters its 10th season in 2007.
Bush joined UH in 2005, after working in private business in Washington D.C. after retiring from professional soccer. This spring, Bush put together a top-flight class of newcomers, establishing herself as one of the top young assistants in Conference USA.
"I am extremely excited about assuming the Head Coaching position," Bush said. "I'm looking forward to leading this program and with a dynamic staff, support from the administration and a commitment by the players to achieve a higher standard, I feel confident in the direction we are heading at UH. My goal is to create a positive and winning atmosphere where our players will continually improve their abilities on and off the field.
"I cannot imagine a better opportunity than to lead an NCAA Division I program in my hometown of Houston. The University's campus, facilities, and personnel are among the best in the nation and there is no reason why this program should not compete on a national level."
No stranger to big-time soccer, Bush has competed at the highest level, earning 10 caps for the U.S. National Team from 1998-2003. Bush tallied three goals and six assists while playing for the U.S.A. She was a member of gold-medal winning teams at the 1999 and 2000 Nordic Cups, the 2000 Gold Cup and the 2000 Australia Cup. In the opening-round game of the 2000 Gold Cup, Bush knocked in a goal while assisting on four others, playing the full 90 minutes in the 8-0 win over Costa Rica.
She earned her first national team start on Dec. 16, 1998 against Ukraine. She was the youngest player and only high-school age player to earn a spot in residency camp during the run-up to the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. She also spent time in national camp prior to the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
Bush played collegiately at North Carolina and was a part of three national championship squads, two as a player (1999, 2000) and one as a student assistant (2003). Bush was the offensive MVP of the 1999 NCAA Championship game, a 2-0 defeat of Notre Dame, and a second-team All-ACC selection in 2000.
In 2002, Bush captained the Tar Heels, was an ACC All-Tournament Team honoree and a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the top male and female soccer player in the college ranks. During Bush's playing career, UNC had a remarkable 90-8-4 mark with a 22-4-2 record in ACC play.
Following her collegiate career, Bush was a second-round pick of the San Diego Spirit of the WUSA. She played briefly for the Spirit, before retiring from professional competition due to knee injuries.
Bush attended UNC after a stellar prep career at St. John's High School. She was named a Parade High School All-American in 1998 and 1999 and was named the Parade High School Player-of-the-Year in 1999. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in May of 2004 from UNC, double-majoring in history and political science.
