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Washington & Lee University

Washington & Lee University Athletics
204 W. Washington St. - Warner Center Lexington, VA 24450
Division 3 Virginia Northeast
Private Small Developing team

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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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Josh Gildea

Washington and Lee University's Michael F. Walsh Director of Athletics, Jan Hathorn, announced the addition of Josh Gildea to the men's soccer coaching staff. Gildea will assist head coach Lumumba Shabazz starting on July 29.


"Josh is a talented young coach who will bring a great deal of knowledge, passion and enthusiasm to developing our players in a holistic manner," remarked Shabazz. "We are excited to have him in our program and can't wait to get started."


Gildea joins following a successful coaching and playing career at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa. As the assistant men's soccer coach for two seasons, the Warriors achieved a 22-8-13 record (.663), including a 13-2-2 (.824) conference record. Serving as the primary goalkeeper coach, the Warriors reached the conference championship game both seasons (2022 MAC Commonwealth, 2023 Landmark), with goalkeepers posting a 0.966 goals-against average and 19 shutouts.


"I'd like to first thank Coach Shabazz, Jan Hathorn, and the rest of the search committee for welcoming me to campus and the Washington and Lee community," said Gildea. "I'm excited for this opportunity to contribute to the next chapter of the storied history of this program and institution."


After graduating from Lycoming in 2017 with degrees in psychology and business administration, Gildea spent five years with the Colorado Rapids (MLS) Soccer Club in Denver. He coached the U13-U19 ECNL boys, U9-U12 boys and girls Competitive Program, and U12-U19 Elite Development Squad, working with players who progressed to all levels of the NCAA.


Gildea returned to Lycoming in 2022 as a decorated assistant, being a finalist for the 2021 CSA State Coach of the Year, the 2021 CSA Advanced League Boys Coach of the Year and the 2020 Central Select Program Coach of the Year.


As a student-athlete at Lycoming, Gildea was part of two MAC Commonwealth championships (2013, 2015) and two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Round of 16 appearance as the starting keeper in 2015. The 2016 Team MVP, Gildea posted a 24-6-4 record and a 0.80 GAA in his career, and he appeared on the MAC Academic Honor Roll twice.


Gildea also holds a USSF D License and completed the Rapids Youth Soccer Club Futsal Training Course.

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Soccer in College gave me a good point of reference for perspective coaches, somewhere I could direct them to see all of my data, in a well-organized, efficient manner. It was a good tool for my recruiting efforts.
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