Marquette University Athletics
Louis Bennett to be Inducted to Wisconsin Soccer Hall of Fame
3/18/2022 11:22:00 AM | Men's Soccer
The winningest coach in Marquette's history, Bennett has made a large impact on the growth of the sport in the area both as a coach and as a player. He has spent the past 16 seasons as Marquette's head coach, leading the team to over 100 wins in that time, and was the head coach at Milwaukee for 10 years prior.
He boasts a long history of success, leading Milwaukee (1996-2005) and Marquette (2006-present) to a combined seven league championships, six league tournament titles and seven NCAA tournament appearances - advancing past the first round on six occasions, including two Sweet 16 appearances with the Golden Eagles (2013 and 2020-21).
Under Bennett's direction, the Golden Eagles climbed as high as No. 2 (Soccer America) -- the highest ranking in program history -- in the national polls after the squad reeled off 12 consecutive victories to open the 2012 campaign, including a thrilling 3-2 win over then No. 2-ranked Connecticut at Valley Fields on Oct. 6.
He was named the NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2002 and was honored as the College Sports Madness Coach of the Year following the Golden Eagles' run in 2013.
A native of Great Britain, Bennett has over 30 years of experience as a player and coach. He played collegiate soccer at Crewe & Alsager College in England, helping win the British Colleges National Championship in 1982. He was also honored as a Great Britain Colleges International Player for three years. Bennett played professional soccer for seven years in the U.S., including three seasons with the Milwaukee Wave of the NPSL (1985-87) and he has made Milwaukee his home ever since.
Other nominees to the 2020 class include:
Jesse March / Salzburg, Austria / Player-Coach / Racine Soccer Club, New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Susan Moynihan-Manning / Salt Lake City, UT / Coach / Tosa Kicks (Milwaukee Kickers), UW-Milwaukee
Craig Posselt / Hales Corners, WI / Player / Bavarian Soccer Club, UW-Parkside
Roland Sikinger / Houston, TX / Player / Bavarian Soccer Club, Houston Hurricane (NASL)
Alex Toth / Milwaukee, WI / Coach / Croatian Eagles, Bavarian Soccer Club
Patrick White / Charlotte, NC / Player / UW-Parkside, Milwaukee Wave
Nancy Ziaja / Hartland, WI / Administrator / Milwaukee KickersÂ
