Lee Schopp

Hope College's Lee Schopp has been selected as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

Hope College's Lee Schopp has been selected as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

Schopp is one of eight assistants across all NCAA and NAIA divisions to receive regional recognition. They all were candidates for the Glenn "Mooch" Myernick National Men's Assistant Coach of the Year that went to Notre Dame's Robert 'BJ' Craig.

Schopp has been on the Flying Dutchmen coaching staff for 21 seasons.

Hope head coach Steven Smith nominated Schopp for the award.

Smith praised Schopp for his impact on the team as well as within the community.

"He is the integral training coach for our team, allowing me to assume the role as team manager while he has the daily details of training and organizing our team," Smith said. "Our four recent bids to the NCAA Championships and our (2011) final eight run was due largely to his influence on our team. The soccer program at Hope College has grown extensively under Lee's leadership.

"When it comes to service and our soccer programs, Lee has connected with local school systems for volunteer efforts with our teams. He is committed to soccer education through his attendance at NSCAA conventions and his multiple contributions as a presenter at our state level of the Michigan High School Coaches Convention."

Hope posted a 13-7-1 record during the 2014 season. The Flying Dutchmen have achieved double-digit wins in 16 consecutive season and 20 of Schopp's 21 seasons.