Bob Vanderwarker (2002) - JMU Athletics Hall of Fame - James Madison University Athletics

Bob Vanderwarker

Induction:
2002

Under the guidance of Bob Vanderwarker, JMU soccer laid the groundwork for the school's accomplishments in men's athletics. Soccer brought the JMU men's athletic program its first championship trophy, its first All-America player and its first NCAA postseason tournament bid, and soccer was the first JMU sport to move to the Division I level of the NCAA.
The men's soccer program began in 1968, and Vanderwarker first coached the team in 1970, when the Dukes compiled a 1-8-1 record. The following season he guided JMU to an 8-4-1 record and the NCAA College Division Southern Regional. A year later his team set a school record with 13 wins, won the Virginia Intercollegiate Soccer Association (VISA) championship, tied for the Virginia College Athletic Association (VCAA) championship and again advanced to the NCAA tournament.

His teams at one point had a 32-game unbeaten streak against Virginia teams; did not lose a VCAA game during JMU's three years in the VCAA (1972-74); and from 1972-75, won or shared three VCAA soccer championships and four VISA championships. One of the most amazing accomplishments came when the 1973 team, in its first year of Division I competition, compiled a 13-2-1 record and earned a berth in the NCAA Southern Regional Tournament. In all, his teams earned four NCAA postseason tournament invitations (1971, 72, 73, 76).

From 1978-84 the Dukes competed in the Virginia Intercollegiate League (VIL), an association of the 10 Division I programs in the state, and JMU won five VIL Western Division crowns. Vanderwarker's teams also earned invitations to two Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournaments (1977, 79)

His teams compiled a 127-102-19 record in 16 seasons.

Vanderwarker is a native of Ticonderoga, N.Y.