Support Us Button Widget

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.

More from CHStoday
Directly north, east, south, and west, the world awaits.
The 16th annual edition of Small Business Saturday falls on November 29 — the perfect time to help you add a local sparkle to your holiday shopping.
We’ll get it started with a family road trip along Route 66 to Charleston in the 1970s.
The Charles Towne Farms development emphasizes open green spaces, luxury living, and architectural design.
From creamy chowders to hearty broths, these local favorites will keep you toasty all season long.
These holiday pop-up bars will get you in the festive mood.
Electric cooperatives serve nearly two million South Carolinians and maintain more than 78,000 miles of power lines across the state.
Newsletter Editor Callie shares her favorite bites from Chef Daniel Humm x The Charleston Place, a year-long pop-up restaurant at the iconic downtown hotel.
Woodhouse Spa now offers its elevated self-care services at its newest location inside the historic Wentworth Mansion.
Boeing’s new expansion project will support 1,000+ new jobs and more than $1 billion in investments.