Jan. 10, 2008

KINGSTON, R.I. - Gareth Elliott, assistant men's soccer coach at the University of Rhode Island for the past five seasons, has been named head coach at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. A 2002 graduate of URI with a degree in Kinesiology, Elliott has been a significant contributor to the successes of the Rams' soccer program, as both a player and assistant coach, over the past 10 years.

"We are excited for Gareth but, at the same time, sad to lose someone who has meant so much to Rhody soccer," said URI head coach John O'Connor.

Elliott assumes his first head coaching position at Siena, a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) which includes Canisius, Fairfield, Iona, Loyola (Md.), Manhattan, Marist, Niagara, Rider and Saint Peter's.

"Although no one wants to see Gareth go, I know our players, alumni and members of the athletic department will join me in expressing our gratitude and happiness for him as he makes the next step in his coaching career," added O'Connor.

A native of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Elliott was one the best players in school history, playing for the Rams from 1998-2001. During that time, URI captured two regular-season Atlantic 10 titles, two Atlantic 10 Championship titles and appeared in two NCAA Tournaments. In 2000, he and his teammates advanced to the round of 16 before falling to five-time NCAA Division I Champion North Carolina.

Elliott ranks seventh all-time at URI with 87 career points, having recorded 31 goals and 25 assists in 78 career games. He was a three-time Atlantic 10 All-Championship team member and earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Region honors as a senior.

As a coach, he assisted both O'Connor and former URI head coach Ed Bradley, helping to lead Rhody to four Atlantic 10 Championships including back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006. In the last of the four NCAA Division I Tournament appearances he was involved in as an assistant, URI advance to the second round of tournament before bowing out in a shoot-out to Lehigh University.

"Gareth has served the community, the University and URI men's soccer as a standout student-athlete, loyal alum and dedicated coach" explained O'Connor.

During his time in Kingston, Elliott was involved in the South County community, working with South County Youth Soccer, Mid-State United Soccer Club and was the driving force behind the development of Rams Football Club, a youth soccer organization established expressly to support URI men's soccer.

"The experiences he has had here in Kingston, as both a player and a coach, will give him a great base for his future role with the Saints. I know he will be successful and I look forward to his return to Kingston for a match - as long as he doesn't plan on winning!" laughed O'Connor.

Elliott takes over a Siena program which finished the 2007 regular season with a 6-10-4 record before losing in the MAAC Tournament quarterfinals. He takes over for Charlie Curto who retired after 19 seasons with the Saints.

"I want to publicly and personally thank "G" for all he has done for me, and especially my family, during my transition to the University of Rhode Island," O'Connor went on to say. "Without Gareth, URI men's soccer would not be where it is today. The players, alumni and I are all in debt to Gareth for all the hard work, tireless hours and passion he has shown the program over the past years. He leaves behind quite a legacy which has now become an integral part of the fabric of URI men's soccer. He will be very, very hard to replace."

Elliott will start his duties at Siena at the end of January.

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HEAD COACH: JOHN O'CONNOR

• 401-874-2560

• joconnor@mail.uri.edu

ASST. COACH: MITCH STONE

• 401-874-2342

• stone@mail.uri.edu

ASST. COACH ROB CZLONKA

• 401-874-2560

• rczlonka@mail.uri.edu

VOLUNTEER COACH: BEN SMITH

• 401-789-4731

• bsmith@apcc.com

ATHLETIC TRAINER: LAUREN GOLEY

• 401-874-2051

• lgoley@mail.uri.edu

STRENGTH COACH: LIZ PROCTOR

• lizproctor23@yahoo.com

• 401-874-5661

DIR. OF SOCCER OPS.: FRANK BERGREN

ACADEMIC ADVISOR: NICOLE POLOSKI

• 401-874-4529

• nlabranche@mail.uri.edu

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