UK soccer coach earns honor after taking team to first conference crown.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 21, 1999) — University of Kentuckymen’s soccer coach Ian Collins has been namedMid-East Region Coach of the Year, the NationalSoccer Coaches Association of Americaannounced on Tuesday.

The award marks the second coaching honor of theyear for Collins, who guided the Cats to their firstconference crown and NCAA Tournament berth in1999, as he was also tabbed Mid-AmericanConference Coach of the Year.

“It’s always nice to be recognized by yourcolleagues,” Collins said. “But the award is a tributeto the hard work done by Assistant Coach JeffChaney and our players.”

Collins is now one of 10 coaches up for NationalCoach of the Year honors, which will be awardedat the NSCAA Convention, Jan. 14-16, inBaltimore, Md.