Written by Michael Lewis

Former Long Island Rough Riders standout Kevin Anderson has decided to continue his coaching career at a familiar setting – his alma mater.

He was named head coach of the Southern Connecticut State University men’s soccer team on Monday, March 20.

“To return to the alma mater of both my brother and I, and to build upon the legacy known as Southern Connecticut soccer, is one that I take on with tremendous responsibility and pride,” Anderson said in a statement.

Anderson recently completed his 14th season at Columbia University.

After playing his first two years in college at George Mason University, Anderson transferred to Southern Connecticut in 1991 and his career truly blossomed.

Anderson was a 1992 first team All-American after helping the Owls to the 1992 NCAA Division II national championship. His 13 assists that season were the second-most in a season in program history, a mark that stands in sixth place today.

Originally hired as an assistant coach at Columbia in 1994, Anderson returned to Southern Connecticut as an assistant under Tom Lang as he helped guide the Owls to back-to-back NCAA Division II titles in 1998 and 1999.

“One of the most important things that I can do for Southern Connecticut State University is to hire individuals that will have a positive impact on our student-athletes and help them reach their goals and dreams,” athletics director Chris Barker said in a statement. “I’m confident that Kevin Anderson embodies all those values. Kevin had great success at Southern Connecticut previously, as an All-American on a national championship team as well as serving as an assistant coach for back-to-back titles.”

Anderson, a Long Island native, became Southern Connecticut’s fourth head coach in program history, succeeding Tom Lang.

“One of the most important things that I can do for Southern Connecticut State University is to hire individuals that will have a positive impact on our student-athletes and help them reach their goals and dreams,” athletics director Chris Barker said in a statement. “I’m confident that Kevin Anderson embodies all those values. Kevin had great success at Southern Connecticut previously, as an All-American on a national championship team as well as serving as an assistant coach for back-to-back titles.”

Following his playing career at Southern Connecticut, Anderson played for the Rough Riders from 1993-97, winning the U.S. Interregional Soccer League crown in 1995. He went to play for the USL’s Minnesota Thunder in 1997, serving as the team’s captain and was later named the team’s MVP as well as one of the USL’s Top 11 players.