Erik Imler Named Women's Soccer Coach at Belmont Abbey College

 Belmont Abbey College’s Senior Associate Athletic Director, Melissa Barrett, has announced the appointment of Erik Imler as Women’s Soccer Coach.

“It is my pleasure as my first duty as Senior Associate Athletic Director to announce Erik Imler for this position,” Barrett said. “Erik was the unanimous choice of our search committee, which included two members of our women’s soccer team. He brings impeccable credentials to this position as a player, coach and teacher of the game of soccer. In addition, he has extensive knowledge of the greater Charlotte metropolitan area and the State of North Carolina. “

Imler, a highly decorated player with United States national and Olympic team experience, joins the Abbey from the Boot Room Soccer School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he is the co-founder. Founded in 2005, Imler was involved with all aspects of the company, including the development of innovative training programs for all ages and skill levels. He was also a clinician at the National Soccer Coaches Association Convention in Baltimore last fall.

Prior to his work with Boot Room, Imler also has experience as the Director of Coaching at the James Island Soccer Club, and served as an Assistant Coach at the University of Virginia in 1993 when UVA won the Division I NCAA National Championship. In addition, he served was an Assistant Coach at The Citadel in 1998 and 1999.

As a player, Imler was a four-year letterwinner and two-time All-American at the University of Virginia from 1989-1992, leading the Cavaliers to the NCAA title three times. He was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy in 1992, and was named to Soccer America’s Team of the Century and the Team of the Decade for the 1990s.

The summer prior to his senior year in Charlottesville, Imler was a member of the United States Olympic Team in 1992. The next year, he earned a cap as a member of the United States national team. In 1988, he was a gold medalist at the Pan-American Games in Havana, Cuba.

Imler played for two seasons in Major League Soccer, earning an MLS title with D.C. United in 1996. He played for the New England Revolution the following season.

Imler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine from the Curry School of Education, at the University of Virginia in 1993.