Men's Soccer Southern Conference

Furman Hires Alvarez As Assistant Coach

GREENVILLE, SC -- Furman men's soccer coach announced the hiring of
Daniel Alvarez as assistant coach on Tuesday.

Alvarez, a 2000 Furman graduate, replaces Ryan Higginbotham as
assistant coach. Alvarez started his duties last week as he completed his
season with the A-League's Hampton Roads Mariners. Alvarez will serve as
assistant coach for the 2002 season before returning to his professional
soccer career.

Alvarez is one of the most decorated soccer players in Furman history.
Furman's all-time leader in assists with 41, Alvarez guided the 1999 Furman
squad to its best-ever season, a 21-2-1 campaign which culminated in an
NCAA quarterfinals appearance. Alvarez was the 2000 Furman Male
Athlete-of-the-Year, the 1999 Southern Conference Player-of-the-year, a
1999 NSCAA first team All-America selection, and a 1999 Soccer America MVP
choice.

Following his playing career, Alvarez became the first Furman soccer
player to be drafted by Major League Soccer as he was a 4th round selection
by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. He was later traded to the Tampa
Bay Mutiny, but Alvarez elected to complete his Furman degree before
beginning his professional career. He spent the 2000 season with the
Charleston Battery of the A-League, before rejoining the Tampa Bay Mutiny.
A torn ACL ended his 2001 season with the Mutiny prematurely. Alvarez was
redrafted in the 2002 MLS draft by the Colorado Rapids, and spent the 2002
season playing with the Cincinnati Riverhawks and the Hampton Roads
Mariners of the A-League.

"I am thrilled to have Daniel as an assistant coach," said Furman head
coach Doug Allison. "His familiarity with the program and passion for
Furman will be a tremendous asset to us this season. His soccer background
and leadership skills certainly are respected by our players."

"I am excited about this new chapter of my life," said Alvarez. "My
four years as a Furman soccer player were four great years and I have
followed the program closely since I graduated. It will be great to work
with Coach Allison and the talented players on this team."