(March 12, 2008 - Ann Arbor, Mich.) -- When Concordia University athletic director Roger Jackson searched for someone to take the helm of the Cardinal Men's Soccer program he did not have to look further than up the road in Ypsilanti.  Concordia University has announced that Eastern Michigan University Head Club Soccer Coach and former Ypsilanti High School coach Murali Nair will lead the Cardinal Men's Soccer program.

 

Nair comes to Concordia with a wealth of experience not only in soccer but also in higher education.  In addition to leading the club team at Eastern Michigan University Nair has served as a professor and program coordinator for EMU since 2001.  He currently serves as an Associate Professor and the Director of the School of Health Promotion and Human Performance; a position that he has held since June of 2005.

 

Nair brings over twenty years of soccer experience to his new position with the Cardinals.  He served as the head coach of the Malaysian National under 23 team for seven years before traveling to the University of Virginia where Nair earned his Ph.d. in motor learning.  While in Charlottesville, Virginia Nair coached an under 19 travel express team from 1996-2000. 

 

While in Michigan, Murali Nair coached the Ann Arbor Arsenal under 13 premier team and also served at Ypsilanti High School serving as the head men's soccer coach for the Braves for three seasons.  Nair earned three degrees from the University of Malaya in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia between the years of 1978 and 1990 before arriving in the United States.

 

Nair understands what is necessary to rebuild the soccer program at Concordia Ann Arbor, "My goal is to build a very strong men's soccer program", said Nair, "This will be done in an environment that promotes integrity, sportsmanship, leadership and sound ethical practices and accountability both on and off the field." 

 

The Cardinals will return a number of strong young players from their 2007 squad, "Each and every player should possess the desire to excel through hard work," added Nair.

 

The Cardinal men's soccer team is coming off a 0-16 campaign and Nair will look to turn around the fortunes of the program in the 2008 season.