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Celebrating 50 years of Men’s Soccer at the College of Charleston

The College of Charleston’s Men’s Soccer program transitioned from NAIA to NCAA Division I status in 1991.

An overhead shot of Patriots Point Soccer Stadium, with the Cooper River in the background.

The team calls Patriots Point Athletics Complex in Mount Pleasant home.

Photo provided by Follywood Productions

For five decades, generations of men donning maroon and white kits have laced up their cleats to represent the College of Charleston on the pitch. This fall, the Cougars men’s soccer team will do the same but with a little more pep in their step as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the program.

Led by head coach Keith Wiggans, the team is currently 3-0. Wiggans is in his fifth season leading his alma mater after he was promoted from associate head coach in 2019. He spent 11 seasons serving under the program’s all-time winningest coach, Ralph Lundy. Wiggans also played seven seasons for the Charleston Battery.

Quick facts

  • Transitioned from NAIA to NCAA Division I in 1991
  • Trans America Athletic Conference 1991-1997
  • Southern Conference 1998-2012
  • Coastal Athletic Association 2013-Present
  • 95 All-Conference selections
  • 14 All-Region selections

The team calls Patriots Point Soccer Complex home, but before the $6.5 million facility was completed in 2000, the team used to play at Stoney Field and the former MUSC Health Stadium.

Celebrate 50 years of the team and help cheer them on against Jacksonville tomorrow, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. Pro tip: Soccer games are free. During the match, the program will also honor the late Aaron Olitsky, who played for coach Ralph Lundy, and the College of Charleston from 1993 to 1996.

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