2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004
 Melvin
M. "Mel" Lorback
National Champion Men's Soccer Coach
Hometown: Brockport, NY
High School: Brockport, NY
Mel Lorback and West Chester University men’s soccer
were inseparable for 34 years. As the head coach of the Golden
Ram program for more than three decades, Lorback amassed a wealth
of athletic history that included a Division I National Championship.
In 1961, the Golden Rams defeated St. Louis 2-0 in the NCAA title
game, capturing the National Championship.
In addition to the national crown, Lorback’s teams have appeared
in two national semifinals, won six NCAA Regionals and claimed
three conference championships. Under his guidance, 16 of his players
attained All-American status, while many of his former student-athletes
have achieved coaching success at both the high school and collegiate
levels.
Longtime Indiana University head coach Jerry Yeagley, a member
of the 1961 National Championship squad, paid Lorback the ultimate
compliment. "Coach Lorback was instrumental in my success
as a coach. The instruction and lessons I learned playing for
him were important in shaping my future. He truly taught me what
it meant to be a champion."
In addition to his coaching duties at WCU, Lorback served as
the president of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
In January of 1998, Lorback was awarded one of the highest soccer
honors presented by the NSCAA when he received the Bill Jeffrey
Award. He is a United States Soccer Federation National Staff
Coach with an "A" License.
As a professor at WCU from 1957-91, Lorback taught undergraduate
and graduate classes with a concentration in sports sciences
and sport studies. He was published over 50 times during his
career, including four manuals, 20 articles and 30 papers. He
also served as the Physical Education Department chair for 12
years.
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