The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Retired UConn coach Reid joining Hartford Athletic
Former UConn and Southern Connecticut men’s soccer coach Ray Reid is joining Hartford Athletic as technical director, the team announced Friday.
The team said Reid, who retired in December after 33 years as a college coach, will “oversee all aspects of the first team including personnel decisions, selection of coaches and technical staff, player identification and scouting, as well as oversight of the Hartford Athletic academy.”
Reid, 61, spent 25 seasons at UConn after coaching at Southern. He was 457-149-78 overall, including 312 wins at UConn. He won the 2000 national title at UConn, and Southern won three Division II national titles during Reid’s eight years as coach of his alma mater.
A member of the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame, Reid is a four-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America Coach of the Year
“Over the past few months, I’ve really missed the locker room and the camaraderie of being part of a team. I’m honored and excited to join Hartford Athletic,” Reid said in a statement. “I’d like to thank (owner) Bruce Mandell,
Coach (Harry) Watling and the entire organization for welcoming me to the club. I am humbled by the opportunity they’ve presented to me, to help grow the professional soccer team in the state I love.
“I would not have accepted this position if not for Bruce and Coach Watling’s flexibility and understanding of my needs to be able to assist my parents at times with anything that may arise from their aging issues.”
Reid, who lives in Niantic, has been caring for his elderly parents on Long Island. He took a leave of absence from UConn in 2021 to assist his parents before retiring at the end of the year.
“I’ve been very fortunate to work at two outstanding
Universities in UConn and Southern Connecticut State University. They will always hold a special place in my heart,” Reid said in the statement. “My goal now is to help Hartford Athletic be a team that the entire state of Connecticut gets behind.”
Hartford Athletic is a member of the USL Championship, a Division II league. The team is 1-6-1 this season.
“Ray is one of the most influential people in soccer in Connecticut and his experience and knowledge of the American soccer system are welcome additions to our organization,” Watling said. “I’m very pleased that he has decided to come on board and look forward to working with him.”