Sept. 14, 2005
In 1982 the George Mason women's soccer program burst into the national scene when inaugural head coach Hank Leung led a group of freshman to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The following season, the same group lost to North Carolina, 4-0 in the NCAA Final. Then in 1985, the program hit a pinnacle in only its fourth year of the program and won the NCAA Championship, defeating North Carolina 2-0.
George Mason profiles former head coach Hang Leung in the `Where are they now?' series commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 1985 NCAA Championship women's soccer team. Leung was at the helm of the women's soccer program for 10 years and compiled an impressive 126-58-19 record.
What coach Leung remembers most about the championship game was a sense of relief. "I was fortunate enough to work with a wonderful group of young ladies, who trusted me enough to share in my GMU dream of winning a National Championship," said Leung. "Their faith and courage were rewarded and the championship was a fitting tribute to an exceptional group. They honored me and the GMU community by sharing a portion of their lives with us and for that I will be forever grateful."
Leung, who lives in Michigan, left George Mason after the season in 1991 to pursue other interests. He currently is the director of soccer operations and chief operating officer of the Phoenix Soccer Group (PSG), a soccer academy originally designed by Hank. His resume includes two-time National Coach of the Year honors garnered while at Mason. He was inducted into the Virginia DC Hall of Fame in 2003.
He is currently an ODP Coach for MSYSA and a scout for U.S. Club Soccer's id2 program. He has coached in the professional ranks, has won youth and collegiate national championships, and has developed male and female national team players, youth and collegiate All-Americans, as well as innumerable scholarship athletes. He is a former U.S. Soccer Staff Coach and a former U.S. National Team Coach.
Hank has two adult children, son Hank, who lives in Australia and Lisa, who is married and lives in Northern Virginia.
Hank's Soccer Resume:
*3-Time National Coach of the Year
*Former U.S. National Team Coach
*Former U.S. National Staff Coach
*U.S. Soccer `A' License Coach
*U.S. Soccer National Youth License Coach
*Former Director of Coaching: VYSA, EPYSA & EPSA
*Former Asst. Coach, Philadelphia Fury, NASL
*Former Director of Soccer Operations, Michigan Chill
*MSYSA ODP Staff (Head Coach '89 Girls)
*MSYSA Teaching Staff
*Graduate of the FIFA International Academy
*Recent graduate of the International Coaching Course
conducted by the KNVB
