When one thinks of McKendree University soccer it is hard to not think of Tim Strange. Strange has been involved with the McKendree soccer program for over 20 years. This is his 15th season as men’s head coach and 11th as women’s head coach.
Strange has built two competitive teams in that time, becoming the both men’s and women’s soccer program’s all-time coaching wins leader. In 2005 he led both the Bearcat men’s and women’s teams to the NAIA National Tournament, becoming the only NAIA coach to do so that year.
Strange joined the Bearcat coaching staff in 1989 as an assistant coach with the men’s soccer team. He held that position for five seasons before being named the head coach in 1994. In his 15 seasons as head coach of the men’s team, Strange has guided the program to 13 double-digit win seasons, including American Midwest Conference championships in 2007 and 2008. Strange was also named AMC Men’s Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008.
In January 1999, Strange was named the head coach of the McKendree University women’s soccer program. Since then Strange has built one of the top women’s programs in the NAIA, amassing 152 wins in just ten seasons. In 2008, Strange led the Bearcats to their sixth consecutive undefeated season in the American Midwest Conference. The Bearcats also picked up their eighth AMC title in nine years and Strange was named the AMC Women’s Coach of the Year. The award was his sixth consecutive and eighth overall AMC Women’s Coach of the Year award. Strange is also a two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America Region Women’s Coach of the Year, earning the midwest region award in 2007 and the northwest region honor in 2008.
Strange began his coaching career at McKendree shortly after his graduation from Saint Louis University in 1989.
On the playing field, Strange enjoyed a stellar career at both the high school and collegiate levels. He was an All-State and All-District performer while at Rosary High School in St. Louis. Strange capped his high school career by earning All-America honors from Parade magazine.
Strange followed that with a successful career at Saint Louis University. He was a three-year starter at forward, and helped lead the Billikens to a berth in the NCAA Final Eight in 1986. Strange graduated from Saint Louis with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
One of Strange’s career highlights came during his playing days with St. Louis Youth Soccer Organization. He was a member of the Scott-Gallagher team that captured the national championship for the under-19 division in 1984.
Strange currently resides in Maryville, Ill., with his wife Roxanne and has a daughter, Olivia Summer.
