March 13, 2008
(release courtesy of Washington (Mo.) University sports information)

ST. LOUIS, Mo. . . . Washington University athletics director John Schael named Jim Conlon as the Bears’ new head women’s soccer coach. Conlon arrives on the Danforth Campus after serving eight seasons as the head women’s and men’s soccer coach at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He is the third women’s soccer coach in Washington U. history and the second full-time coach.

Conlon replaces Wendy Dillinger, who spent six years as the head coach at Washington University, before resigning to take the same position at Iowa State University on Jan. 24, 2008.

“As both the women’s and men’s head coach at Wartburg College, Jim established a pair of competitive soccer programs,” Schael said. “His eight years of head coaching experience within a private university setting at the NCAA Division III level prepare him for the challenges associated with the continued development of Washington University’s women’s soccer program. He is familiar with the needs and priorities of the student-athlete and is experienced in the organization, administration and direction needed to create a winning atmosphere.”

As the first full-time soccer coach in Wartburg history, Conlon posted a 108-48-10 overall record with the men’s team and 96-57-5 with the women’s team. He led the men’s squad to five NCAA appearances, advancing to the Sectional semifinals in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and to the Sectional final in 2004. In 2007, the Wartburg women’s team won the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) title and advanced to the NCAA Sectional round, the squad’s first NCAA berth in school history.

Conlon was named the NCAA Division III West Region Coach of the Year in 2006, and garnered IIAC Coach of the Year honors in 2003 and 2004. He has had 64 student-athletes earn Academic All-IIAC honors, four ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District honorees and four National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-America selections.

“I am excited to be a part of the next chapter of the Washington University women’s soccer program,” Conlon said. “Washington University is nationally recognized not only for its accomplishments on the field, but also for its academic endeavors, and I look forward to being able to graduate scholar champions. My family and I are excited about the move to the St. Louis area, and I hope to bring a women’s soccer national championship to Washington University.”

A 1998 graduate of Loras College, Conlon played for four seasons on the Loras men’s soccer team and graduated with a BA in business management and sports management. After graduation, he served as the assistant women’s and men’s soccer coach at his alma mater for two years, while pursuing a Master of Arts in physical education with an emphasis in athletic administration.

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