Skip Roderick
FullnameArthur D. Roderick
Birth placeSpringfield, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
PositionMidfielder
Collegeyears 11970–1973
College 1Elizabethtown Blue Jays
Years 11974
Clubs 1Philadelphia Atoms
Caps 15
Goals 10
Years 21975
Clubs 2Pittsburgh Miners
Years 31976
Clubs 3New Jersey Americans
Caps 318
Goals 31
Years 41976–1977
Clubs 4Sligo Rovers
Years 51977–1978
Clubs 5New Jersey Americans
Caps 535
Goals 50
Years 61978–1980
Clubs 6Philadelphia Fever (indoor)
Caps 628
Goals 61
Years 71979
Clubs 7New Jersey Americans
Caps 724
Goals 70
Manageryears 11981
Managerclubs 1Philadelphia Fever (interim)
Manageryears 21982
Managerclubs 2Philadelphia Fever (interim)
Manageryears 31983–2023
Managerclubs 3Elizabethtown Blue Jays
Manageryears 42015–2016
Managerclubs 4Ocean City Nor'easters (assistant)
Manageryears 52021
Managerclubs 5Ocean City Nor'easters (assistant)

Arthur D. "Skip" Roderick is an American retired soccer player who played professionally in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and the American Soccer League. He is the head coach of the NCAA Division III Elizabethtown College men's soccer team.

Playing career

As a youth, Roderick had played for the Delco youth club. He attended Elizabethtown College, graduating in 1974. In 1974, he played a single season with the Philadelphia Atoms of the North American Soccer League.[1] The Atoms released him during the off-season and although he received an offer from the Portland Timbers, he signed with the Pittsburgh Miners of the American Soccer League instead.[2] In 1976, he moved to the New Jersey Americans for a single season.

Roderick signed for Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland in December 1976 [1].

He returned to the United States to play the 1977 season with the New Jersey Americans. He played two seasons (1978–1980) with the Philadelphia Fever of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Roderick also played for the Philadelphia Ukrainians and Elizabeth S.C. in the German American Soccer League.

Coaching career

Roderick became interim head coach of the Philadelphia Fever for the last three games of the 1980–1981 season. In February 1982, the Philadelphia Fever fired head coach Walter Chyzowych and elevated Roderick to interim head coach.[3]

In 1983, Roderick returned to Elizabethtown College to become head coach of the college's soccer team. In 1989, Skip coached the Blue Jays to the NCAA Division III title. Roderick was often offered positions at larger schools, UVA for example, but always stayed with his alma mater. Coach Roderick also maintains Elizabethtown Soccer Camp, the longest running soccer day camp in the United States. Roderick was awarded the 2015 George W. Kirchner Award for his leadership and contribution to athletics in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.[4] On October 24, 2015, Roderick recorded his 500th victory for the Blue Jays, becoming only the 7th DIII coach and 12th in all divisions to reach the milestone, with a 3–0 drubbing against Drew University.

References

  1. ^ Philadelphia Atoms History
  2. ^ Miners Reunite Dynamic Duo
  3. ^ Last-place Fever fire coach
  4. ^ "Skip Roderick wins the 2015 George W. Kirchner Award | Sports | lancasteronline.com"