The NCAA News - News and Features

September 15, 1997

Women's soccer committee penalizes coach for unsportsmanlike actions

The NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Committee publicly has reprimanded Anson Dorrance, women's soccer coach at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and has suspended him from the next NCAA soccer championship contest in which his team participates.

The sanctions came as a result of Dorrance's actions toward the game officials during the championship contest of the 1996 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship.

"The committee recognizes that participants in championship competition may experience certain frustrations," said Kathy E. Lindahl, chair of the committee and associate director of athletics at Michigan State University. "Such frustrations, however, should not escalate to an unsportsmanlike level.

"The incident was an act of misconduct that tarnished the image of college soccer and the championship," Lindahl said. "The committee's decision will send a strong message that the NCAA does not tolerate such acts of unprofessional behavior."