Jim McElderry Resigns as Fordham Men’s Soccer Head Coach

Bronx, N.Y. – (December 8, 2018) – After 16 seasons and 127 wins on the bench at Rose Hill, Jim McElderry has resigned his position as head coach of the Fordham men's soccer program in order to take on the same role at Rutgers University. "We want to thank Jim for 16 years of service to the Fordham Soccer program and to the countless student-athletes he has watched over," said Director of Athletics David Roach. "He led the men's soccer program to new heights over the last five seasons, which included two Atlantic 10 championships, three NCAA Championship appearances, and an NCAA quarterfinals appearance. We are grateful for everything he has done for Fordham Athletics and wish him and his family the best in his new endeavor." McElderry was hired as the only the fourth head coach in the history of the Fordham men's soccer program in 2003. Over the last 16 seasons, McElderry brought Fordham to the top of the Atlantic 10 Conference as well as getting the Rams onto the national stage, making three NCAA Championship appearances in the last five seasons. Along with his 127 wins, which rank second at Fordham to only his predecessor, Frank Schnur, McElderry helped the Rams reach the Atlantic 10 Championship tournament on nine occasions, winning the conference title in both 2014 and 2016 to receive the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Championship. The best run was yet to come in 2017, as McElderry guided the Rams to an NCAA at-large berth and a run to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals and a #11 national ranking in the United Soccer Coaches poll. Fordham finished the year with a school record 14 wins, posted two wins over nationally-ranked opponents, recorded its first two NCAA tournament wins over St. Francis Brooklyn and #11 seed Virginia, and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals following a penalty kick shootout win at #6 seed Duke, before falling to #3 seed North Carolina. For awards, McElderry was a four-time recipient of the Iron Major Award, as Fordham's Coach of the Year (2012, 2015, 2017, and 2018), while receiving the 2011 NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year award. During his tenure at Fordham, McElderry always found talented players and were able to develop them on the field, as 18 players were named to Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team, 32 were selected to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference teams, and 27 have earned All-Region honors. Fordham has also had seven major award winners during McElderry's run, which included having the Atlantic 10 Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year this past season. The Rams have also been a consistent recipient of the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award, earning that recognition in each of the last nine seasons. "I would like to thank Fr. McShane, Jeff Gray, Dave Roach, Charlie Elwood, Frank McLaughlin and the entire Fordham University athletic department. It has been an incredible 16 years here at Fordham and I have been fortunate to experience life at Rose Hill with incredible people. I especially want to thank the alumni, all of my staff coaches, academic support, sports medicine, strength room, facilities, equipment and especially all of the players. I will miss Fordham University and will cherish the memories I have from all of my teams. I will always be a Fordham University fan," said McElderry.