Post by hokesmyth on Oct 22, 2018 14:49:38 GMT -5
Mike Rubesch joins Emory Sports Hall of Fame
Men’s Soccer Head Coach (1988-2006)
Women’s Soccer Head Coach (1986-87)
With his love of soccer ingrained at a young age when he and his parents, along with a number of the Atlanta Chiefs professional team, lived in the Williamsburg Village Apartments, Mike Rubesch’s passion for the game fueled a successful odyssey both as a player and coach.
Mike guided the Emory men’s soccer program for 19 seasons, compiling a record of 236-99-22. Following 2006, his last year as the men’s coach, he ranked among Division III’s all-time top 40 in winning percentage while his victory total stood 35th.
While patrolling the sidelines, Mike guided the Eagles to eight NCAA Tournaments along with five University Athletic Association titles. He mentored his teams to 16 winning campaigns and directed the 1989, 1991 and 2003 squads to a school-record tying 16 victories.
A three-time Regional and five-time UAA Coach of the Year, he oversaw all three of the Emory teams that have gone unbeaten in conference play. Under Mike’s guidance, nine Eagles captured All-America honors while five were chosen as UAA Player of the Year.
After graduating from Erskine College, where he enjoyed a fine career as a player, Mike returned to the local scene as head coach at St. Pius High School. He then joined the Emory program as an assistant coach from 1984 through 1987, helping the Eagles to their first two bids to the NCAA Tournament. In addition, he holds the distinction of serving as the head coach of the first two Emory women’s soccer teams (1986 & 1987).
(Rubesch was unable to attend, and is suffering dementia)
After leaving Emory, Mike moved to South Africa and worked as Chief Scout and Coach for Ajax Cape Town. He returned to the United States where he served a two-year stint as an assistant coach for Coastal Carolina University. He would eventually become the owner and coach at the Overstrand Soccer Academy in his current residence of Hermanus, South Africa. Mike and his wife, Jean, are the proud parents of three children.
