Feb. 5, 2002

MILWAUKEE -- UWM men's soccer coach Louis Bennett announced yesterday his decision to commit long term to the university. Bennett had explored the possibility of the head coaching position at Wisconsin after head coach Kalekeni M. Banda stepped down last month.

The 2001 Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year and Horizon League Coach of the Year was a consideration for the Badgers' opening, but decided to continue with the momentum of the Panthers' future. Milwaukee finished its winningest season in program history at 18-5 en route to its first NCAA appearance since 1990. The Panthers were ranked nationally for most of the season, including a No. 15 spot, and won the Horizon League regular-season crown with an undefeated league record.

"We're extremely pleased that Louis will continue to be our coach," UWM Athletic Director Bud Haidet said. "He's done an excellent job and were pleased to keep him on board. He's helped build a great program over the past nine years, and with the fruition of this past season, we'll look for continued success with his leadership."

"I'm happy that the athletic department is also looking to the future and sees not only the present position, but also the future position of our program," Bennett said. "I am excited to continue our program's momentum, along with the support of the athletic department, towards our quest of remaining in the Top 25."

Bennett finished up his sixth season at the helm of the Panthers and currently posts a 73-41-7 career record at UWM. He came to the university in 1993 and worked as an assistant coach under Brian Tompkins.