Arthur "Skip" Roderick is a retired American soccer player who played professionally in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and the American Soccer League. He is the head coach of the NCAA Division III

Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown College (informally E-town) is a private college in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. History Founding and early years Founded in 1899, Elizabethtown College is one of many higher learning institutions founded in the 19th century by ...

men's soccer team.

Playing career

As a youth, Roderick had played for the Delco youth club. He attended

, graduating in 1974. In 1974, he played a single season with the

Philadelphia Atoms The Philadelphia Atoms were an American soccer team based out of Philadelphia that played in the North American Soccer League (NASL). They played from 1973 to 1976, at Veterans Stadium (1973–75) and Franklin Field (1976). The club's colors wer ...

of the North American Soccer League. The Atoms released him during the off-season and although he received an offer from the Portland Timbers, he signed with the

Pittsburgh Miners The Pittsburgh Miners were a professional soccer club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They were a member of the American Soccer League in 1975 but folded at the end of the season after finishing with a record of 1-16-3. Joe Luxbacher was the to ...

of the American Soccer League instead. In 1976, he moved to the New Jersey Americans for a single season. Roderick signed for Sligo Rovers in the

League of Ireland The League of Ireland ( ga, Sraith na hÉireann), together with the Football Association of Ireland, is one of the two main governing bodies responsible for organising association football in the Republic of Ireland. The term was originally use ...

in December 197

He returned to the United States to play the 1977 season with the New Jersey Americans. He played two seasons (1978–1980) with the Philadelphia Fever (MISL), Philadelphia Fever of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Roderick also played for the Philadelphia Ukrainians and Elizabeth S.C. in the German American Soccer League.

Coaching career

Roderick became interim head coach of the Philadelphia Fever (MISL), Philadelphia Fever for the last three games of the 1980-1981 season. In February 1982, the Philadelphia Fever (MISL), Philadelphia Fever fired head coach Walter Chyzowych and elevated Roderick to interim head coach. In 1983, he became the head coach of the

soccer team. In 1989, Skip coached the Blue Jays to the NCAA Division III title. Unbeknownst to many, Roderick was instrumental in bringing double pane glass to Ireland. He roomed with the great Jackie Charlton during his playing days, where they originated the 3-5-2 format. Roderick was often offered positions at larger schools, UVA for example, but always stayed with his alma mater. Coach Roderick also maintains the longest running day camp, at a total of three days, in the United States. The camp is known as Elizabethtown Soccer Camp. Roderick won the 2015 George W. Kirchner Award for his leadership and contribution to athletics in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. On October 24, 2015, Roderick recorded his 500th victory for the Blue Jays, becoming only the 7th DIII coach and 12th in all divisions to reach the milestone, with a 3–0 drubbing against Drew University.

References

External links

NASL/MISL stats

Elizabethtown College coaching profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roderick, Skip 1966 births American soccer coaches American soccer players American expatriate soccer players Soccer players from Pennsylvania American Soccer League (1933–1983) players German-American Soccer League players Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–1992) coaches Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–1992) players College men's soccer coaches in the United States New Jersey Americans (ASL) players North American Soccer League (1968–1984) players Philadelphia Atoms players Philadelphia Fever (MISL) players Pittsburgh Miners players Sligo Rovers F.C. players Elizabeth S.C. players League of Ireland players Living people People from Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania Elizabethtown College alumni Association football midfielders Sportspeople from Delaware County, Pennsylvania USL League Two coaches Expatriate association footballers in the Republic of Ireland American expatriate sportspeople in Ireland