Tony Economopoulos Hometown: Oklahoma City, Okla. Position: Assistant Coach Alma Mater: Oklahoma City University ('97)

Coach during practice

Tony Economopoulos (E-con-o-mop-a-loss) enters his fourth season with the Bowling Green soccer program as an assistant coach. Economopoulos was hired on Aug. 5, 2003. He served as interim head coach for the Falcons from January through April of 2004.

Economopoulos came to Bowling Green after serving two seasons as the assistant men's soccer coach at Western Illinois University. At WIU, Economopoulos assisted in all duties of the men's soccer program.

In 2002, Economopoulos was nominated from the high school and college ranks for the AFLAC Insurance National Assistant Coach of Year Award. The nominees were selected by a panel of judges from Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director magazine. The criteria in the inaugural AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year program allowed for coaches to win based on longevity, expertise, contributions to the school and community, and special achievements throughout their careers.

Prior to coaching in the collegiate ranks, he coached the Royals Football Club (10-18 years old) in Oklahoma City, Okla., from 1998-2001. While there, Economopoulos led teams to three state cups, one Region III final and four Dallas Cups.

Coach Economopoulos and sophomore goal keeper Paul Shoemaker

During that time, the Oklahoma native also worked with the Oklahoma Olympic Development Program and at Santa Fe High School (Edmond, Okla.). He began his coaching career at Putnam City North High School in Oklahoma City (1995-98).

Economopoulos graduated from Oklahoma City University with a degree in communications in 1997. He was a four-year goalkeeper for the Stars and helped them to one conference championship and Regional Tournament appearances in 1995 and 1996. Economopoulos also played semi-professionally for the Oklahoma City Slickers of the USISL and the Oklahoma City Warriors, who captured the 1993 USISL Championship.

He obtained his United States Soccer Federation National "B" license in 2002 and is a member of both the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and U.S. Soccer Coaches Organization.

Economopoulos earned a Masters of Science degree in Sport Management from Western Illinois University in 2004.

The former goaltender is also involved in the community and coaches a youth team in Perrysburg, Ohio. He has been associated with the U14 Perrysburg Yellow for two seasons, serving as an assistant coach.

He and his wife Holly were married in July of 2006. The newlyweds reside in Bowling Green with their Black Lab/German Shorthaired mix, Andie.