By Talon Foreman

Dr. Gerry DiBartolo announced on Tuesday afternoon that Alex Hargrove has been named the new Salisbury University Head Men’s Soccer Coach.

Hargrove, who has been with the program for the past 10 years as a player and coach, became the sixth head coach in program history.

“Alex Hargrove is the true embodiment of Salisbury University soccer and is the perfect choice to lead the program into the future,” DiBartolo said. “As a player and coach, he has developed a passion for the community, the University and the student-athletes that have come through the program. That passion will serve to better the Sea Gulls moving forward.”

Hargrove, who grew up in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, joined the Salisbury program as a player in 2006 and played four seasons as a midfielder, competing in 81 games while scoring 21 goals and notching nine assists. In his four years in uniform, the Sea Gulls won two Capital Athletic Conference championships and advanced to the NCAA tournament three times, while accumulating a 57-16-8 overall record. Hargrove was a two-time first-team All-CAC selection and in his senior season was named to the second team of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Region team.

As an assistant coach for the past six years, Hargrove helped the program to four more NCAA tournament appearances and the 2015 CAC championship. With Hargrove on the beach, the Sea Gulls won 84.3 percent of their conference games.

“Having spent 10 years as a Sea Gull, I could not imagine continuing my coaching career anywhere else,” Hargrove said. “I’m so thankful to Dr. DiBartolo and the search committee for entrusting me with the future of Salisbury University Men’s Soccer. I have been completely devoted to the program for the past 10 years and look forward to what the future has in store.”

The Salisbury men’s soccer program has amassed nearly 600 wins over more than 80 years and appeared in the NCAA tournament 13 times while collecting eight Capital Athletic Conference titles. The Sea Gulls have reached the national tournament in each of the last three seasons.

Hargrove says there are no plans of changing and he will continue on with the traditions he learned from previous alumni in the program.

Hargrove will officially begin his new role on Monday, February 8.