UCLA Women’s Soccer Coach Fawcett Resigns After Five Years

Four days after the UCLA women’s soccer team was knocked out of the NCAA quarterfinals by Notre Dame, Joy Fawcett resigned as the Bruins’ coach Wednesday.

Fawcett, a 1991 world champion and 1996 gold medal-winning defender on the U.S. women’s national team, has been the only coach in the program’s five-year history. She leaves with a 65-24-7 record and two NCAA appearances.

“I’ve had a great time coaching UCLA, but I feel I can no longer give the job the time commitment it deserves,” said Fawcett, who will continue to serve as a volunteer assistant coach.

“We have built a fine program, but it needs someone who can devote all of their time and energies to continue to take it to the next level.”

Fawcett, 29, has been doing triple duty for several years--playing for the U.S. team, coaching UCLA and raising her two daughters, Katey, 3, and Carli, born in May.

She coached UCLA to the Pacific 10 Conference championship this season with an unbeaten record. Overall, the Bruins finished 19-3.

Still a key member of the U.S. team, Fawcett is expected to play in the 1999 Women’s World Cup in the United States and in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

“We are sorry that Joy has decided to step down but certainly understand her reasons,” said Betsy Stephenson, UCLA associate athletic director. “She has done an outstanding job of building one of the top young programs in the country while balancing numerous demands on her time.”