Sports

Island Trees Soccer Coach Lands Assistant Position at Hofstra

Graham Radcliffe was recently named the new assistant coach for the men's soccer team at Hofstra University.

Island Trees boys soccer coach Graham Radcliffe has resigned and accepted a position as the assistant coach for the men's soccer program at Hofstra University.

Radcliffe, a former Hofstra player who graduated in '89, returns to his alma mater after spending the last 20 years as the head boys varsity soccer coach for Island Trees.

"Although we are happy for Coach Radcliffe, he will be truly missed at Island Trees," said Superintendent Charles Murphy. "He is not only an exemplary coach, but an outstanding role model for our students."

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Radcliffe earned numerous awards in a high school coaching career that spanned three decades. A five-time league coach of the year, Radcliffe led Island Trees to league championships in 1995, 1997, 2004, 2010 and 2011. He also guided the team to a Nassau County League championship in 1997 and five finishes as a Nassau County Finalist from 1996-97, 2004, 2010 and 2011. For his efforts, he was named the 2011 Nassau County "Paul LeSeur" Coach of the Year, according to the Hofstra athletics page.

"Graham has been a tremendously successful high school coach and we're excited to bring someone of his experience into our program," said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. "We're thrilled to add a proven winner who knows Long Island, and his connection to Hofstra as a former student-athlete makes him a great addition to our staff."

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Radcliffe, a defender in his playing days with the then-Flying Dutchmen, played in 15 of Hofstra's 16 games in 1987, registering two assists and two shots. 

Off the field, Radcliffe served as a middle school counselor for the Island Trees school district from 1992-2009 before serving as a high school counselor in the same district for the last three years.

Radcliffe will continue as a guidance counselor at Island Trees, and the school is currently searching for his replacement, according to Murphy.


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