July 1, 2003

MEMPHIS, Tenn.-- - After four years with Richie Grant and the Memphis soccer program, assistant coach Ryan Shea will be leaving to take the men's soccer head coaching position at NCAA Division III Austin College in Sherman, Texas. Shea leaves the Tiger program just a month after Paul Conway, also a former Tiger soccer assistant, took the top position at Lambuth.

Shea, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, joined the Memphis coaching staff along with head coach Richie Grant in the fall of 1999 after a solid career as both a player and coach at Viterbo College in LaCrosse, Wisc.

Shea played his college soccer at Viterbo, where he was a four-year starter and captained the V-Hawks in his junior and senior seasons as they captured consecutive Midwest Classic Conference crowns. Shea earned first-team all-conference honors

"I want to thank Richie (Grant) for the opportunity he afforded me to come work at the University of Memphis." Shea said. "I am looking forward to sharing my experiences from Memphis at Austin College."

Austin College is a member of the NCAA Division III American Southwest Conference. The Kangaroos went 9-9-0 overall and 6-6 in league play over the 2002 season. Shea will take hold of a team that boasts the ASC's East Division Defensive Freshman of the Year and a Verizon All-Academic Team member.

"I am delighted for Ryan," said Grant. "He has worked tirelessly to put himself in this position. I am excited for him and am confident that he will do a great job at Austin College."

"Paul and Ryan will be good ambassadors for the University of Memphis," Grant said. "Both excelled as coaches and got their Master's degree during their time here, which fits out philosophy for what we are trying to do here at Memphis."

Shea, who received his undergraduate degree with a double major in business marketing and management from Viterbo in May, 1999, will receive his graduate degree from The University of Memphis in Sport and Leisure Commerce in August, 2003.