Austin Daniels, former head women’s soccer coach who led the Hawks to six NCAA Tournament appearances—including a trip to the Final Four in 1992—died on July 14. His long and courageous battle with cancer never detoured him from enjoying his work and friendships—including with many of his former players.
A Hartford native who devoted his lifetime to developing the sport of soccer among youth and college players, Daniels compiled a stellar 103-35-6 record during seven seasons at UHart (1989–95). He recruited and developed seven All-Americans during his coaching career, and was named the 1989 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Coach of the Year.
The 1992 season was most memorable as the Hawks posted a 19–2 record and advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, eventually falling to Duke, 1–0. Daniels was inducted into Hartford Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.
“When I started working with Austin at the University of Hartford as his team’s academic advisor, I had no idea our work relationship would develop into a close, 35-year friendship,” says Andrea (Miller) Marshall, former assistant AD for academics and, later, associate director of the Center for Student Success.
“Because of our day-to-day working relationship for seven years, I was able to see a coach and person who went beyond athletics with his players by helping them learn to do battle not only on the soccer field but in the academic arena and their personal lives,” Marshall recalls. “Austin had a great ability to connect with his players and with so many people of all ages and cultures, which his huge phone contact list can attest to. Austin’s skills, passion, and personal values transferred to his players, friends, and family. He will be greatly missed but incredible memories will be forever.”
“He was a special person—like a brother to me and was loved by my daughters,” notes Ted Stavropoulos, retired senior associate AD for facilities in the Department of Athletics. “He worked hard everywhere he went and in everything he did. I am going to miss him greatly.”
The two initially met playing in a local soccer league. When Daniels headed out west to work as an assistant coach at Colorado College, Stavropoulos, who was then starting the women’s soccer program at UHart, promised him, “I will bring you back here one day.” That day came five years later when Daniels took the reins of Hartford Women’s Soccer. “Austin was in my office that first week and we both looked at each other and knew that within two years, the Hawks would be in the NCAA Tournament.”
Following his years at Hartford, Daniels again went west to launch the women’s soccer program at the University of Colorado. In 2001, he became technical director of Connecticut Academica FC before beginning a three-year reign as head coach of the New England Mutiny (Women's Premier Soccer League). In 2004, Daniels was named the league’s Coach of the Year as the Mutiny advanced to the national finals.
More recently, Daniels served as technical director for the Arizona Youth Soccer Association, technical advisor for the United States Soccer Federation, and director of coaching for the Ballistic United Soccer Club. Throughout all of his roles, he valued the chance to emphasize to soccer coaches at all levels that incorporating a fun environment was as important as teaching the skills and drills.
At the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) convention this past January, Daniels was inducted into the Black Coaches Community Hall of Fame. This prestigious national honor was one of multiple inductions for Daniels through the years (Hartford Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame, Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame, Connecticut Girls’ Soccer Hall of Fame, Women’s Premier Soccer League Hall of Fame, Watkinson School Hall of Fame).
“I’ve never thought of awards,” Daniels said in January upon receiving the NSCAA recognition. “I came to the sport because I loved it and I wanted to help grow the game."
And that he did—along with helping countless youth and college students become better soccer players and human beings.