Denzil Lue retires as men's soccer head coach

March 20, 2002
Tue. March. 19, 2002

Denzil Lue retires as St. Thomas men's soccer coach

Denzil Lue, who has been affiliated with the University of St. Thomas men's soccer program for 27 years, is retiring as the Tommies' head coach.

Four-year St. Thomas assistant coach Aaron Macke has been named interim head coach for the 2002 season. Macke has served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Tommies since 1998.

A two-time MIAC Coach of the Year, Lue directed St. Thomas to four conference championships and four NCAA Division III playoff berths. His 23-year head coaching record of 220-129-43 (.616) included an MIAC record of 130-67-27 (.641). His 2001 Tommies won their final four games to finish 12-6.

Lue's St. Thomas teams finished with a .500 or better won-loss record 19 of his 23 seasons, with 11 top-three and 20 top-five MIAC finishes. Four of his players were selected MIAC Player of the Year.

"We're appreciative of Denzil's service to St. Thomas and to our soccer program in his long tenure," said St. Thomas athletic director Steve Fritz. "He coached many strong teams and developed many excellent players."

Lue is a member of the Jamaica Soccer Hall of Fame after playing on his country's national team and coaching Jamaica's 19-under national team. A member of the Minnesota Soccer Hall of Fame, Lue also coached the Minnesota Men's Amateur team to the 1990 national championship and to the 1996 Minnesota Men's Amateur Select team to the Region II title. He's a licensed coach of the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Macke played for Lue as a four-year starter and a three-year co-captain (1993-96). Macke received All-Region and All-MIAC honors as a player and helped the Tommies win an MIAC championship and reach the NCAA playoffs in 1995. He was an all-state high school player at Cretin-Derham Hall and also played on the Minnesota Men's State Select team and on the 1996 Men's USA Midwest Regional Select team.

"St. Thomas means a great deal to me, and I am proud to represent the university, athletic department and soccer team as head coach," Macke said.

"I thank Denzil for the opportunity he has provided me. I have spent my whole life preparing for this time, and Denzil has been an instrumental person in that process. I learned how to play the game from Denzil and developed the foundation for successful coaching from Denzil. It is now time to apply my learning to the development of the players and assist them in achieving their goals.

"I also want to thank Steve Fritz, JoAnn Andregg and the St. Thomas administration for their support and confidence in me. I will represent the institution pridefully, ethically and successfully. Denzil has built one of the strongest soccer programs in Minnesota, and it is my intention to continue the winning traditions and assist the university in reaching its national goals."