June 21, 2004

Fairfax, Va.--George Mason University head men's soccer coach Fran O'Leary has announced the promotion of Leigh Sillery to associate head coach after serving as an assistant coach for the Patriots for the past three seasons.

"Leigh has done a terrific job at Mason, and we want to recognize his contributions to the men's soccer program," said O'Leary. "He is one of the brightest young coaching minds in the country and his new title is reflective of his potential."

A native of Glengormley (County Antrim) in Northern Ireland, Sillery's ties with O'Leary stretch back to his playing days at Elmira (N.Y.) College in 1990-91 and at Kenyon (Ohio) College in 1992-93. Sillery was also an assistant coach with O'Leary at Dartmouth College in 1995. Sillery, 32, earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1995 from Kenyon College. He served in a municipal capacity in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from November 1997-August 2001, and prior to that, he spent a year as a financial consultant for Ulster Bank Ltd. in Belfast.

Sillery earned all-region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) each of his four years in college, and he was a first-team All-American at Kenyon in 1993 as the Lords were ranked No. 1 in the nation and advanced to the Division III "Final Four." He also earned All-North Coast Athletic Conference first-team honors each of his seasons at Kenyon, and he was named the NCAC Player of the Year in 1992. In June 2004, Sillery was honored as he was selected for the North Coast Athletic Conference's Twentieth Anniversary Team.

Prior to coming to the United States to play collegiately, he was a member of the Northern Ireland Schoolboy and Youth national teams, making 20 international appearances. As a youth player, he helped lead Linfield Football Club to two national championships. He also had extended trials with English league teams Manchester United and Manchester City.

Sillery has completed his NSCAA Advanced National Coaching Diploma, holds a UEFA B license and is currently undertaking his UEFA Advanced License.