July 1, 2005

BLAIR HIRED AS FULL-TIME WOMEN'S SOCCER
COACH AT MONTCLAIR STATE

THREE-TIME NJAC COACH OF THE YEAR TO CONTINUE TO LEAD RED HAWK PROGRAM

The Montclair State University Department of Athletics has announced that Eileen Blair has been named head coach of the Red Hawk women’s soccer program. Blair takes over the position on a full-time basis after spending the past seven seasons as a part-time coach.

“I am very excited to have Eileen join our staff on a full time basis,” said Director of Athletics Holly Gera. “She has done a tremendous job as our part-time head women's soccer coach for the past seven years and I am looking forward to the program's continued success under her leadership. Eileen is an outstanding coach, teacher and role model.”

In her seven previous seasons with Montclair State, Blair has turned the Red Hawks into a contender on the conference, regional and national levels. During her tenure, Blair has compiled an 87-45-15 record (.643 winning percentage), an average of 12 wins per season while taking her teams to the postseason on six occasions.

“I am very excited about this opportunity and very proud to be connected with Montclair State University,” said Blair. “Over the last seven years we have worked diligently to create an environment where our student-athletes aspire to be leaders on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities. I look forward to the continued challenge of guiding our women's soccer team as we strive for excellence both on and off the field.”

Last year, Blair led Montclair to its greatest achievement in the 15-year history of the program. Following a tough start of the season against several top-ranked teams, MSU stood at 5-7-1 heading into its final four games before putting together a nine-game unbeaten streak that propelled the Red Hawks to their first New Jersey Athletic Conference championship and first berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

For her efforts, Blair was named the NJAC’s Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season and third time in her career.

But Blair’s success goes beyond just the wins and losses. Under her guidance, the women’s soccer team has become a contender on all levels and its players are now seen as some of the best. In the last four years, there have been six All-Region players and in 2002 the first All-American in the program’s history as goalkeeper Stephanie Romanko was named Third Team by the National Soccer Coaches Association.

Blair was named the fourth head coach in the program’s history in 1998. A 1992 graduate of Monmouth College (now University), she is still an active player, returning from a torn knee ligament to compete at the club level. Prior to her injury she played with the New Jersey Wildcats of the USL-W League - an elite national women's semi-pro circuit. In May 2000, Blair captained a USA women's soccer team to a gold medal in the 2001 Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia.