MNUFC Release
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Saint John's University assistant soccer coach
Noel Quinn was named Minnesota United's Director of Youth Development on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
When U.S. Soccer ended the Development Academy system in April, it gave Major League Soccer franchises like MNUFC an opportunity to reform their involvement with youth soccer in the area.
The MNUFC's newly structured Youth Development Program will focus on U15 and U17 levels and a U23/reserve team. The roster size of the different age groups is expected to increase from 18 players to 35-40 players.
"It is a privilege to coach youth soccer, and especially at the professional level at MNUFC," Quinn said. "We have great potential in Minnesota soccer and by creating a program that rewards talent, desire and collaboration in development means that soccer in our state can reach its full potential."
The 2020 season is Quinn's fourth as an assistant soccer coach for the Johnnies and second consecutive. He assisted the Johnnies to MIAC championships in 2005 (playoff) and 2006 (regular season).
"Player development in our country and in our state must improve," said former SJU soccer student-athlete and current Totino-Grace High School soccer coach Bill Vance '94, who was quoted in MNUFC's press release.
"I applaud Minnesota United's renewed commitment to creating a pathway that fosters a competitive culture which will allow young players to pursue their professional dreams," added Vance. "This unique partnership with Minnesota's youth soccer community is putting the player first. It is an exciting opportunity for many Minnesota soccer constituents to work together for the good of our aspiring youth players and our community."
Another 1994 SJU graduate, Bryant Pfeiffer, is MNUFC's executive vice president and chief revenue officer.
"It was almost 20 years ago to the day that Pops (former head coach Pat Haws '72) and I walked Noel around campus and welcomed him as a student-athlete into the Johnnie soccer family," SJU head soccer coach
John Haws '99 said. "Minnesota United has made an exceptional decision to place its trust in Noel's vision. We are incredibly lucky he is working with the family. His character and soccer acumen are both first class."
A 2002 graduate of the University of Ulster and a native of Belfast, Ireland, Quinn attended SJU in 2000-01 and has 13 years of high-school coaching experience in Minnesota. In addition to stops at Columbia Heights, Simley and Eden Prairie high schools, Quinn led St. Thomas Academy to a state Class A championship in 2016. He accumulated six top-three finishes in seven appearances at the state tournament.
"I look forward to continuing to work with Coach Haws and the SJU soccer team," added Quinn. "It is 20 years since I came to Minnesota at Saint John's and have never considered working at SJU to be a job. We are doing great work improving the student-athletes and continuing a culture in our program of community and dedication. I hope to continue to be an asset to SJU soccer for as long as I can kick a ball."
The Johnnies finished fourth in the conference with a 6-4 record (10-8-1 overall) last fall and advanced to the semifinals in their seventh MIAC-playoff appearance in the last eight seasons. The 2020 season, however, is scheduled to take place in spring 2021 following the MIAC's July 28 decision to postpone competition for four fall sports (cross country, football, soccer and volleyball) to the spring.
Training, practice and other athletically related activities for all teams in their traditional or non-traditional seasons is permitted in accordance with NCAA Division III rules and campus, state and NCAA health directives. For example, SJU soccer, as well as cross country and football, are scheduled to hold formal practices this fall in addition to a practice and game schedule in the newly formed spring season, totaling no more than a combined 114 days for each sport.
