Athletics News

Bill Lessig to be Inducted into State of Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame Camel Head Coach Celebrates 35th Season with HOF Induction

Bill Lessig Will Enter the State of Connecticut´s Soccer Hall of Fame in a Special Ceremony January 28

December 08, 2005

New London, Conn.--Connecticut College men´s soccer coach Bill Lessig has been selected to the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame. Lessig will join the Class of 2006 in a special induction ceremony January 28 at the Farmington Marriot. The event gets underway with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m, leading up to the induction speeches and ceremony.

Lessig is celebrating his 35th season as the head coach of the Camel men´s soccer program. He has directed Connecticut College to Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships in the 1992 and 1996 seasons. In 1995, Lessig and the Camels won nine consecutive regular season games, advancing into the NCAA Tournament.

Lessig has compiled a 257-209-35 record at the helm of the program. September 9, 2004, Lessig reached a career milestone by reaching his 250th victory in a 1-0 victory at Eastern Connecticut State University. Under Lessig´s direction, the Connecticut College soccer program has produced one U.S. National Team player and Olympian, three professional players, eight All-Americas, and 30 All-New England selections. Lessig also served as head coach of the Camel women´s basketball program from 1982-1993. He compiled a 162-61 record, qualifying for the post-season on eight occasions. The team won 3 New England Northeast Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NIAC) Championships during the run. Lessig has been a certified member of the United State Soccer Federation as an "A" Licensed Coach since 1976. He has served as a coaching administrator for the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) Region I Olympic Development Program. Lessig has also served as the director of the Connecticut State Soccer Special Olympics and as head coach of the New England Special Olympic Team.

"I am deeply thankful and humbled by being selected for such a prestigious honor as the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame," Lessig stated. "I look forward to a night out with family, players, parents, peers and friends - all with whom I have shared a memorable journey."

Fran Shields, the Katherine Christoffers ´45 Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education at Connecticut College, commended Lessig on this honor and for his service to the athletic program.

"This honor for Bill is a nice testimony to the far-reaching impact he has had on the sport of soccer in southeastern Connecticut," Shields stated. "It´s great for the college and our athletic department to have one of our own receive such recognition."

Dinner tickets may be reserved at $40.00 each or for tables of eight ($320.00) or 10 ($400.00) by contacting Patricia A. Hennig, Executive Director of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame at 860-673-9381. The Farmington Marriot is conveniently located off Interstate 84 at exit 37.

For more information contact: William Tomasian (860) 439-2501; william.tomasian@conncoll.edu