Three-Time National Champion Keith Fulk Returns to UT Coaching Staff

TAMPA, Fla. - University of Tampa head men's soccer coach Adrian Bush has announced the addition of Keith Fulk as an assistant coach at the University of Tampa.

Fulk has begun his duties as an assistant at his alma mater, and also serves as the director of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams under the umbrella of a new partnership between the Rowdies and Tampa Bay United (TBU).

Formerly the head coach at Saint Leo University, Fulk has also led West Virginia University and his alma mater, the University of Tampa. At UT, he led the Spartans to the program's third national championship in 2001. He also served as an assistant coach for the 1994 championship and student-athlete for the 1981 title.

In his six years at Saint Leo, Fulk resurrected a program that was previously among the bottom of the Sunshine State Conference standings. He led the Lions to the 2015 Sunshine State Conference regular season title while being named the SSC Coach of the Year, while the Lions earned four all-SSC honors. The Lions played in the NCAA South Region Semifinal and finished with a No. 20 ranking in the final NSCAA poll of 2015.

The Lions advanced to the 2014 SSC tournament semifinals and the third round of the NCAA Tournament under Fulk's direction. The team received a No. 13 ranking in the final NSCAA poll of 2014.  The 2013 Lions were 13-2-2 record and a perfect 7-0-1 record in conference play. They went on to defeat No. 1 ranked Rollins College to win SSC Championship and reached the NCAA South Region Tournament for the first time since 2005.

Fulk served as the top assistant head coach at Tampa, where he helped guide the team to the 1994 Division II National Championship and two conference championships in 1994 and 1995.  It was also during his years as a Spartan that he was mentored by SSC Hall of Fame legends Tom Fitzgerald and Jay Miller, helping him to develop his playing and coaching abilities more extensively.

In 2001, as the head coach, Fulk led his alma mater, The University of Tampa, to a 19-0-2 record, a No. 1 ranking during the season, and a Division II National Championship. Fulk was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Coach of the Year. As the head coach at the fellow conference school for six years, Fulk guided the Spartans to an 81-24-7 record, three SSC Championships and three NCAA Division II Tournament appearances in 1996, 1997 and 2001. In the Fall of 2014 he was inducted into the University of Tampa Hall of Fame.

Fulk left Tampa for a coaching stint at West Virginia University before finding a home with U.S. Soccer.

Coach Fulk spent eight years with the United States Soccer Federation and participating in four U17 World Youth Championships. He returns to Division II soccer after having worked with three head coaches who currently excel in Major League Soccer and coaching numerous players who currently play overseas and domestically. Some players include Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund - 2011 and 2012 Bundesliga Champions), Jozy Altidore (AK Alkmaar-Holland), Michael Bradley-Chievo Verona-Italy, Eric Lichaj-Aston Villa-English Premier League, in addition to many others.

Fulk also served a year-long stint serving as head coach at the prestigious IMG Academy in Sarasota, Fla. 

Holding his 'A' license from the United States Soccer Federation, the native of Myerstown, Pa. had an extensive playing career as well.  Claiming a national championship in 1981 while playing for Tampa, Fulk was a four-year student-athlete for the Spartans until graduation in 1985.  After his collegiate career concluded, he then advanced to play professional indoor soccer until 1992.  Also during that time, he was a participant in the World University Games in 1985.

As a player, Fulk was a Parade All-American at Elco High School and at Tampa he was a four-time All-Conference and All-South Region member.

He was inducted into the SSC Hall of Fame in 2008, and the University of Tampa Hall of Fame in 2014.