varsity news

Durham Lords Media Release
August 11, 2009

DC Coaching legend moves on!!!!"

OSHAWA, Ont. -   After over two decades leading the charges at Durham College, legendary coach Vaso Vujanovic is stepping down from his post to take the head coaching position with the new men’s varsity soccer program at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT).

“With Vaso leaving the program at Durham College he will be greatly missed,” said Durham College athletic director Ken Babcock. “He has been the head coach of both our men’s and women’s programs at points during his career and led them both to amazing success.  I’m confident he’ll do an amazing job coaching at UOIT.”

“It was a marvelous run, one I will remember humbly forever,” said Vujanovic when asked about leaving Durham College. “But I am emotionally poised now for a new run, a new challenge as a founder. It is a once in a life time privilege.”

Vujanovic has an extensive soccer background that includes playing semi-professional soccer in Yugoslavia and coaching at the highest levels in Canadian collegiate soccer. With a career spanning over four decades, Vujanovic has established himself as one of the premier coaches in the country having coached the Durham College men’s and women’s soccer programs to provincial and national prominence.

The Oshawa resident began coaching with the Durham College men’s soccer team in 1973 and led the team for 17 seasons. He compiled a dominating overall record of 128-35-7 with a phenomenal winning percentage of .774, leading the Lords to two provincial titles (1980 & 1988). From 1984 to 1989, Durham won six straight divisional titles and OCAA medals. In total, the Lords won an amazing 12 OCAA medals (two gold, five silver and five bronze) under Vujanovic’s leadership.

Vujanovic earned top honours in the country as he was named the inaugural Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) National Coach of the Year when the award was introduced in 1988.

In 1999, Vujanovic returned to the Durham College athletic program as he took on the role as the women’s soccer head coach. The Lords have been dominant over the past ten years as the team has never failed to qualify for the OCAA Championship (final four) while Vujanovic racked up an incredible 119-37-11 overall record as head coach. The Lords have been the pinnacle of collegiate soccer having won five provincial titles (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, & 2007) over the past seven seasons.

Vujanovic achieved legendary status in 1997, as he was inducted into the Durham College Sports Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class.  The Durham College soccer field is also named “Vaso’s Field” after Vujanovic for his contribution to the sport and college. Vujanovic has had plenty of success on Vaso’s Field as the Lords women’s soccer team has never lost at home. They are riding an unbeaten streak of 29 games on home turf.

In addition to his stretch at Durham, Vujanovic has served a number of roles in the soccer community. He has coached all levels of soccer including the Motor City Soccer League (MCSL) and with the Durham Regional Soccer Association (DRSA) development program. He was also the president, vice-president and technical director of the DRSA and president of the MCSL.

A Quick Look at Vaso Vujanovic
Head Coach, UOIT Men’s Soccer

Durham College Women’s Soccer Head Coach (1999-2008)
Overall Record: 119-37-11
OCAA Championships - 5 (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007)
OCAA Divisional Titles - 7 (1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
CCAA Women’s Bronze Medalist: 2007
Six straight CCAA All-Canadians: Katie Szeghalmi (2007), Amanda Durno (2006), Nicole Stephens (2005), Kara Campbell (2004) & Laura Dixon/Kristina Foreman (2003)

Durham College Men’s Soccer Head Coach (1973-1989)
Overall Record: 128-35-7
OCAA Championships - 2 (1980, 1988)
OCAA Medals - 12 (two gold, five silver, five bronze)
OCAA Divisional Titles - 8 (1979,1981,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989)
CCAA Bronze Medalist: 1987
CCAA National Coach of the Year 1988

Durham College soccer field was named Vaso’s Field in his honour, acknowledging his dedication and outstand achievements in collegiate soccer.

Inducted to the Durham College Sports Hall of Fame 1997

Executive Involvement
President and Vice President - Durham Regional Soccer Association
Technical Director/Coaching Development Program - Durham Regional Soccer Association
President – Motor City Soccer League (Four Years)

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)