Meet Chris Hughes
Chris Hughes heads into his eighth year as head coach of the Calvin men's soccer program.
The 40-year old Hughes graduated from Calvin in 1992 with a degree in business and communications and currently works as a a licensed residential real estate agent with the Coldwell Banker-AJS company.
A decade after graduating from Calvin, Hughes is sold on the benefits
of a Calvin education. "The number-one thing that Calvin offers is faith-based
learning," said Hughes. "That aspect is huge and serves you the rest
of your life. The education that Calvin offers is also top-notch. A
Calvin education is something you can be proud of having on your resume'."
In his first seven years as head men's soccer coach at Calvin, Hughes
has fashioned a won-loss record of 100-34-12 (.712) that includes MIAA
titles in 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008 - Calvin's 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th MIAA titles overall -- and trips to the NCAA III Tournament in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. In 2005, Hughes led Calvin to the third round of the NCAA III Tournament which included a 2-1 second round upset victory at previously unbeaten and second-ranked Ohio Wesleyan University. His winning percentage of 71.2% currently ranks in the top 20 among all active NCAA III men's soccer coaches.
On November 5, 2008, Hughes recorded the 100th victory of his collegiate career in a 3-0 win at Adrian. Hughes also led his 2008 Calvin team to an outright MIAA title and a bid to the NCAA III Tournament.
On December 14, 2004, Hughes was named Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, becoming the first coach in Calvin soccer history to receive the award.
Hughes is the sixth head coach in Calvin men's soccer history including just the fourth head coach in the last 42 years. A Mt. Clemens, Michigan,
native and a graduate of Lutheran North High School, Hughes was a four-year
member of the Calvin men's soccer program a three-year member of the
Calvin varsity and a two-time All-MIAA honoree. As a marking back on
defense Hughes was named to the All-MIAA 2nd team in 1989 and to the
All-MIAA 1st team in 1990. As a senior Hughes helped anchor a Calvin
defensive unit that allowed just six goals in 12 MIAA games on its way
to a share of the MIAA title.
Before coming to Calvin, Hughes was a member of the German Sports Soccer Club based in Mt. Clemens. After graduating from Calvin he was a member of the Bill and Paul's Soccer Club for eight years. In addition, Hughes served eight years as Calvin's jayvee men's soccer coach.
"To have the opportunity to serve as head men's soccer coach at my alma mater is a dream-come-true," said Hughes upon accepting the duties as head coach during the summer of 2002. "The men's soccer program at Calvin is full of tradition and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue that tradition."
According to Hughes, his coaching philosophy is built on fitness and two-way play. "Our players need to be in great condition. I have told them to make sure they are in shape when we open pre-season camp in August because we are going to work hard," said Hughes. "Our style of play is intense, attacking soccer. In our system, every player has the chance to move up and score and every player is responsible for playing defense including our strikers."
Hughes and his wife Heather reside in Caledonia with their two sons MacKenzie, 10, and Caleb, 8.
