Lawson Appointed New Head Women's Soccer Coach

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Alex Winnicker, interim director of athletics and recreation at St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn), has announced the appointment of Gary Lawson as head women's soccer coach.

"Gary's dynamic coaching philosophy and development plan for the program stood out among all the nationwide applicants," remarked Winnicker. "His accomplishments in elevating the soccer program at the Brooklyn Friends School and his extensive one-on-one development of players that have competed as high as the national level make him a great fit as our next head coach to take us to the next level."

Lawson brings over 17 years of coaching experience to Clinton Hill, including the last six as the head girl's varsity coach at the Brooklyn Friends School in downtown Brooklyn.

While at Brooklyn Friends, the England native helped turn around a program that managed just six wins over five seasons from 2005-2010 to amassing a 58-18-9 record in the six seasons since taking over in 2010, guiding the Panthers to four straight Independent Schools Athletic League (ISAL) playoffs, capturing the title in 2012, 2013 and 2015. In addition to posting undefeated seasons in 2013 and 2015, Lawson's Panthers qualified for two New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) tournament appearances and also achieved their highest state ranking in school history.

"I am delighted to join St. Joseph's College as the new head women's soccer coach and would like to thank Alex and the college administration for giving me the opportunity to develop the program," commented Lawson on the selection to his first collegiate coaching position. "From the moment I stepped inside The Hill Center, I knew this was the right place for me. I am motivated greatly by the challenge of developing a team, not just to compete in the Skyline Conference, but one that will over time, be a contender among the Division III ranks."

The third head coach in the history of Lady Bears Soccer began his playing career at a young age in Buckinghamshire, England and continued through his collegiate years at Aylesbury United FC and Buckinghamshire Chilterns University. While playing semi-professionally at various league clubs in England after graduation, Lawson began his coaching career and eventually traveled overseas to the US and joined Ashley's Soccer Camp and Soccer Domain Academy and began coaching various travel teams, academies and camps. He returned to London to complete his PGCE in Physical Education at London Metropolitan University and since he returned back to the states has worked as the chair of physical education at the Brooklyn Friends School.

He is also the chief executive officer and owner of Gary Lawson Soccer, a company he founded in 2010 offering personalized performance training to soccer players of all ages. Lawson holds an Advanced National Diploma, a National Diploma and a Goalkeeping Level One Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and holds a United States Soccer Federation "F" Coaching License.

Lawson resides in Manhattan with his wife Cindy and his son Jack Dylan.

Joining Lawson on the sidelines is former Lady Bears standout Shannon Rom '15 who returns for her second season and an assistant coach to be named later. The Lady Bears will open their fifth season in program history and second season in the Skyline Conference this September.