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Lumumba Shabazz
Jan Hathorn, Michael F. Walsh Director of Athletics at Washington and Lee University, has announced the appointment of Lumumba Shabazz as Associate Professor of Physical Education and the 10th Head Coach of Men's Soccer in program history.
"I am excited to be welcoming Lumumba and his family to W&L," stated Hathorn. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the program."
Shabazz arrives in Lexington after serving as the head men's soccer coach at Kalamazoo College for the past 12 seasons, during which he led the Hornets to 10 or more wins five times. Tasked with rebuilding the program in 2012, he guided the team to five consecutive Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association playoff berths after a ten-year absence from the postseason. The transformation included the Hornets being projected as the last-place team in the MIAA preseason poll, only to reach the conference championship game within three seasons. In 2019, the Hornets garnered national recognition with the program's first Top 25 ranking in 17 years, at No. 24, and secured a berth to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament, their first national appearance in 18 years.
During his tenure at Kalamazoo, Coach Shabazz accumulated 100 wins, mentored eight players to all-region honors and 25 selected as All-MIAA picks. Additionally, three Kalamazoo men's soccer student-athletes were honored with the MIAA's Marv Zuidema award, recognizing the player who best displayed a balance between academics, athletics, leadership, and ethical skills in the conference.
Under Shabazz's leadership, the Hornets excelled in the classroom as well and earned the NSCAA/United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America team award 11 out of 12 seasons and qualified for the MIAA Team GPA award every year.
Hathorn continued, "Throughout his career he has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the field while mentoring student-athletes for success in all areas of their college career and life beyond graduation. We look forward to what he will contribute to the men's soccer program as well as to our entire campus community."
Prior to his tenure at Kalamazoo, Shabazz held positions in the high school, Olympic Development Program, youth, and the National Premier Soccer League levels since 2001 with stops in New York, Miami, and Michigan.
The professional qualifications of Shabazz include licenses and certifications from USSF (A License), NSCAA/USC (Premier Diploma, Goalkeeper Diploma, Youth License), and the Rene Meulensteen Academy (Skills Trainer Diploma). In addition to his completed coursework, Coach Shabazz has dedicated multiple summers to engaging in national educational tours with the World Football Academy in Brazil, Spain, Holland and England, aimed at enhancing his coaching and team management abilities. He has received guidance from globally acclaimed coaches during internships covering team tactics, functional and positional growth, sports psychology, conditioning, and periodization.
Before transitioning into coaching, Shabazz thrived in a twenty-year journey as a player, spanning the realms of amateur, collegiate, and professional soccer across Germany, the USA, and the Caribbean.
A decorated US Army Veteran and former combat medical specialist, Coach Shabazz holds an undergraduate degree in history from Florida International University and an MBA from the Real Madrid International Graduate School.
"First, I would like to thank Jan Hathorn, Dean Chawne Kimber and the entire search committee for making me feel very welcomed on campus." said Shabazz.
Shabazz will take on his W&L responsibilities in mid-June, assuming leadership of a Generals squad that concluded 2023 with a 15-4-6 overall record and reached the NCAA semifinals for the second time in program history. W&L concluded the year ranked third in the USC Top 25 Poll and is set to kick off the 2024 season on Friday, August 30, facing off against No. 24 Johns Hopkins at 1 p.m. on Alston Parker Watt Field.
"My past experiences and success have prepared me for this moment, and I am very confident in my ability to continue to build up this program that competes for national championships," Shabazz added in speaking about his new role. "And just as importantly, ensure that W&L Men's Soccer is a program that leads to the greater transformation of the young men under my charge."
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