Hall of Fame
Rick Stottler, head men's soccer coach from 1986-99, was inducted into the Florida Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Stottler is the most successful soccer coach ever at Florida Tech, amassing a 190-66-12 record, ranking third all-time in NCAA Division II in career winning percentage of .731 and 10th in wins. He has led the Panthers to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, four South Region titles, and two NCAA Division II National Championship titles. In his 14 years as head coach, he coached 12 winning seasons.
In his final five seasons, Stottler coached four winning seasons, 18 All-SSC selections, including five First Team selections, and the 1997 SSC Co-Freshman of the Year, Stephen Barnes.
In 1994, Stottler took Florida Tech to its eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament and led a 14-3-1 team to the NCAA Sweet 16. He coached five All-SSC players and goalkeeper Martin Peat, the program's first SSC Co-Freshman of the Year. Richard Sharpe and Peat earned NSCAA All-America honors.
Stottler led the Panthers to their only undefeated season, a 19-0-1 record. They finished the season in the NCAA Sweet 16. The Panthers also won the SSC Regular Season Title for the third straight season. Sharpe received his third straight SSC Player of the Year Award, and five others earned an All-SSC selection. Sharpe also received NSCAA All-America First Team honors.
He guided Florida Tech to its fourth NCAA Final Four appearance with an 18-3 record in 1992. The Panthers shared the SSC Regular Season title with two other teams. Sharpe won SSC Player of the Year and was selected to the All-SSC First Team. Ten Panthers made the All-SSC Team for their stellar performances. Sharpe and Edward Enders received NSCAA All-America First Team honors.
Stottler reached the pinnacle of the sport for the second time, winning the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Championship. He led the team to a third SSC Regular Season Title. After leading his team to a 19-2-1 record and a championship, Stottler won NCAA Division II, All-South Region, and SSC Coach of the Year. He coached Sharpe to the first-ever SSC Player of the Year and an NCAA Tournament MVP. Sharpe and seven other Panthers earned All-SSC selections. Dylan Lewis received NSCAA All-America First Team recognition.
In 1989 and 1990, Stottler coached the team to 17 and 18 wins, respectively. The Panthers made it to the NCAA Tournament both seasons, including an NCAA Final Four in 1990. He received SSC Co-Coach of the Year in 1989 for leading them to an SSC Regular Season Title.
In just his third season, Stottler and the Panthers won the program's first NCAA Division II National Championship title. He also earned his first NCAA, All-South Region, and SSC Coach of the Year awards. Robin Chan received the program's first NCAA Tournament MVP and, along with three other teammates, earned All-SSC First Team honors.
Stottler got Florida Tech to their first NCAA Tournament the previous season and went 11-3-2. In his first year of coaching, the Panthers went 11-5-0 after two straight 5-win seasons before he arrived.
