Marquette Soccer's All-Time Winningest Coach, Steve Adlard, Passes Away

MILWAUKEE – The winningest coach in Marquette University men's soccer history, Steve Adlard, passed away in Milwaukee on Tuesday after succumbing to his lengthy bout with cancer. From 1992-2005, Adlard accumulated 140 victories for Marquette.

Adlard spent 14 seasons on the Marquette sideline, the longest tenure of all six head coaches in program history. He led the Golden Eagles to a pair of Conference USA regular season titles, including the 1997 squad that earned the first NCAA tournament berth in program history. In the midst of their second league title in 2000, Adlard led Marquette, at the time, to its highest national ranking (No. 7) ever.

In 1993, Adlard was honored by his peers as the Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year. The following season, in 1994, he registered his second of eight double-digit win seasons during his tenure, while setting a Marquette record in victories with a mark of 16-6-1. That number has only been matched once since by the 2012 squad that went 16-4-1.

Current Marquette women's soccer coach Markus Roeders served a four-year stint as an assistant under Adlard before taking over the women's program in 1996. Adlard was vital in the establishment of the women's soccer program at Marquette, guiding the recruiting process for its first class in 1993.

"I am incredibly saddened to hear of Steve's passing," Roeders said. "It's hard to put into words the impact he had on my life and many others. Without him, I wouldn't be at Marquette and probably not in coaching. He was a friend, mentor, father figure and much more. He will be deeply missed by myself and all those he touched."

Adlard's successor and current Marquette head coach Louis Bennett enjoyed a professional relationship together for many years. Prior to arriving at Marquette, Bennett spent 10 seasons as head coach at UW-Milwaukee, coaching against Adlard's Golden Eagle squad in the storied Milwaukee Cup series, which rekindles for the 46th time on Wednesday, Sept. 19.

"He was a good man, a good soccer man," Bennett said. "He was intricate in the building and design of the original Valley Fields. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and former players."

Adlard arrived at Marquette following four years as the director of soccer at UNC-Asheville, where he led the program to its first four Big South tournament appearances. Prior to that, he was the head coach at Davis & Elkins, earning Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year honors in 1986, while guiding the program to the Division II national semifinals. He also spent four years as an assistant coach at Evansville from 1982-86.

A goalkeeper during his playing days, Adlard played professionally for Nottingham Forest and Lincoln City in England. He represented England on the international level throughout his youth and graduated from Loughborough College in England, where he earned a degree in physical education.

The family is planning an open house celebration of life get together to be held Saturday, Oct. 13 from 1-9 p.m. at the Country Inn and Suites in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Those in attendance are encouraged to dress casual as Steve lived his life comfortably in sweats, shorts and t-shirts.

Testimonials from former players/coaches

More from Markus Roeders:

"He was an incredible husband, father, dad and family man. He was a teacher and coach and brought the best out of his players with his unique and always challenging style. Most importantly, he cared about his players like sons, and those he interacted with as people. To many former players, including myself, he was a father figure and friend.

"His teams were family. His worldly knowledge, humor, wit and life approach was incredibly unique. There wasn't a day with Steve where you didn't learn, laugh or have conversations that enriched your life. His approach was real and he had a way of making you better. It is also important to note that Steve not only coached the Marquette men, but he is the founding father of the Marquette women's soccer program as he recruited the initial class and coordinated the run up to the first season in 1993.

"Although he lost his courageous battle with cancer, we can all take solace that he is now resting in peace. My love, thoughts and prayers go to Shelly, Andy, Susie and their families during this difficult time."

Billy Solberg (1993-96) was Adlard's first major recruit and also served as an assistant coach during his first year after graduation in 1997. Solberg is currently the co-director of coaching at FC Wisconsin, where Adlard worked for the past three years. The following words are from Solberg:

"Coach Adlard was an amazing teacher of the game who cared first and foremost about his players. Because of his deep passion for his players, he turned around every program he touched. He was a coach, mentor and friend to all of his players. Not only was I honored to play for him, but I was honored to work alongside and coach with him. The soccer community has lost not only an amazing and successful coach, but an even better man, father, granddad and friend. His legacy will live on through his former players and all those lucky enough to have coached and learned alongside him."

Steve Lawrence, who is a decorated coach at Marquette University High School, played for Adlard from 1999-2002:

"He was the type of coach that truly cared about his players. It was more than just soccer to him. He valued the relationships he built. He knew the game and could teach it well, but he provided so much more. He was a fun person to be around. The type of person people gravitated toward because he was easy to engage with and have so many stories to share. Personally, I was lucky to have a coach like that who took us in as his family. I learned a lot from him on and off the field."

Marquette Soccer's All-Time Winningest Coach, Steve Adlard, Passes Away

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