Bluffton College has announced that Stephen Smucker has accepted the appointment of head men's and women's soccer coach beginning 2003.

For the past eight years Smucker has taught physical education and coached boys soccer at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School in Lansdale, Pa. In 2002 he led Christopher Dock to the Pennsylvania Class A state championship and earned five separate coach-of-the-year honors in the process, including recognition from the Pennsylvania State Soccer Coaches Association and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

"I am very pleased and excited that Steve has decided to come to Bluffton," said associate director of athletics Phill Talavinia. "His knowledge, experience and enthusiasm is very evident and our student-athletes will benefit from his leadership."

Smucker has earned degrees from Hesston College (Ks.), Goshen College (Ind.) and Temple University (Pa.). He led Christopher Dock to five district championships in the last six years, including the school's first-ever district title in 1996 when he earned his first Philadelphia Inquirer coach-of-the-year honor.

A native of Kidron, Ohio and a graduate of Central Christian High School, Smucker went on to earn all-conference honors as a player at both Hesston and Goshen. He completed

the United States Soccer Federation "A" License Course in 2002, has extensive soccer clinic experience and has been very involved in his church and community.