Men's Soccer Program Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Grand Canyon University will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its men's soccer program on Saturday, Sept. 4. The Antelopes will play Montana State Billings at 8:15 p.m. that day. Prior to the game, there will be an ice cream social featuring GCU's dance team and cheerleaders in the north gym.

At halftime of the game, there will be a presentation honoring former GCU soccer players.

And in the morning on the day of the game, the Second Annual Golf Tournament for Soccer Alumni and Friends will be held at the Wigwam Golf Resort. There will be a shotgun start at 7:15 a.m., and activities will include a lunch buffet after the round and the distribution of both pin prizes and prizes for the winning teams. The cost is $70 per player or $270 per team.

Head Coach Petar Draksin has been a fixture in GCU’s soccer program, winning national and conference championships that have put the ‘Lopes on the map. Draksin and championships have been synonymous in his days in purple. His teams have advanced to four NCAA national tournaments.

In 1996, Draksin’s men’s team won the NCAA Division II national championship. The ‘Lopes beat

Oakland University (Mich.), 3-1, in the championship game to cap a 12-4-5 season. For his efforts in 1996, he was named the Far West Region Coach of the Year and NSCAA/Umbro NCAA Division II Coach of the Year, allowing him the honor of coaching the West Region All-America team at the Umbro/Select All-Star Game in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Prior to taking over as GCU’s head coach, Draksin served as an assistant for seven years under Peter Duah. While serving as an assistant, Draksin helped guide the ‘Lopes to the 1992 NCAA Division II national tournament. Draksin also coached the GCU women’s team from 2002-06. His 2005 team went 13-6 as an independent, establishing a school-record for wins.

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Grand Canyon University Athletics

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