Kevin McCarthy - Hall of Fame
Kevin McCarthy
- Induction:
- 2026
- Class:
- 1985
Kevin McCarthy ’85CC spent more than three decades as a central figure in Columbia soccer, first as an All-Ivy player, then as an assistant coach with the men’s program and ultimately as the winningest head coach in Columbia women’s soccer history.
McCarthy played for the Lions from 1981-84 during one of the most successful stretches in Columbia men’s soccer history. The Lions won the Ivy League championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of his four seasons, part of the program’s run of eight consecutive conference titles from 1978-85.
The high point came in 1983. Columbia completed an undefeated regular season and entered the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 1 in the nation. After victories over Hartwick and Fairleigh Dickinson, the Lions defeated UConn, 4-0, in the national semifinals to advance to the NCAA championship game. Columbia ultimately fell to Indiana, 1-0, in double overtime, finishing the season 18-1. McCarthy was part of a starting lineup in which all 11 players earned All-Ivy recognition. He earned First Team All-Ivy honors as a senior.
After graduating from Columbia College with a degree in history in 1985, McCarthy returned to the men’s program as an assistant coach in 1988. During his six seasons on the staff, Columbia earned four NCAA Tournament bids and captured the 1993 Ivy League championship. He also earned a master’s degree in American studies from Columbia in 1990.
McCarthy took over the women’s soccer program in 1994 as the second head coach in program history. Over the next 20 seasons, he built Columbia into an Ivy League contender and compiled a 162-145-36 record, becoming the program's winningest head coach.
The program reached its greatest heights in 2006, when the Lions went undefeated in Ivy League play at 6-0-1. Columbia captured the first Ivy League championship in program history and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance. McCarthy was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Northeast Region Coach of the Year following the season.
The championship also gave McCarthy a distinction no other Columbia alumnus has matched, winning Ivy League titles as a student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach.
Player development remained a defining part of McCarthy’s tenure. He coached five All-Americans and four Ivy League Players of the Year, while five of his women’s soccer players received the Connie S. Maniatty Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award. Four of his former players have joined him in the Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame.
Across 25 seasons coaching Columbia’s men’s and women’s programs, McCarthy was part of 13 postseason appearances, won Ivy League championships with both programs and helped capture two ECAC championships. His influence also extended beyond competition. He developed and taught a leadership course and regularly spoke on leadership, competition and coaching.
McCarthy played for the Lions from 1981-84 during one of the most successful stretches in Columbia men’s soccer history. The Lions won the Ivy League championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of his four seasons, part of the program’s run of eight consecutive conference titles from 1978-85.
The high point came in 1983. Columbia completed an undefeated regular season and entered the NCAA Tournament ranked No. 1 in the nation. After victories over Hartwick and Fairleigh Dickinson, the Lions defeated UConn, 4-0, in the national semifinals to advance to the NCAA championship game. Columbia ultimately fell to Indiana, 1-0, in double overtime, finishing the season 18-1. McCarthy was part of a starting lineup in which all 11 players earned All-Ivy recognition. He earned First Team All-Ivy honors as a senior.
After graduating from Columbia College with a degree in history in 1985, McCarthy returned to the men’s program as an assistant coach in 1988. During his six seasons on the staff, Columbia earned four NCAA Tournament bids and captured the 1993 Ivy League championship. He also earned a master’s degree in American studies from Columbia in 1990.
McCarthy took over the women’s soccer program in 1994 as the second head coach in program history. Over the next 20 seasons, he built Columbia into an Ivy League contender and compiled a 162-145-36 record, becoming the program's winningest head coach.
The program reached its greatest heights in 2006, when the Lions went undefeated in Ivy League play at 6-0-1. Columbia captured the first Ivy League championship in program history and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance. McCarthy was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Northeast Region Coach of the Year following the season.
The championship also gave McCarthy a distinction no other Columbia alumnus has matched, winning Ivy League titles as a student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach.
Player development remained a defining part of McCarthy’s tenure. He coached five All-Americans and four Ivy League Players of the Year, while five of his women’s soccer players received the Connie S. Maniatty Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award. Four of his former players have joined him in the Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame.
Across 25 seasons coaching Columbia’s men’s and women’s programs, McCarthy was part of 13 postseason appearances, won Ivy League championships with both programs and helped capture two ECAC championships. His influence also extended beyond competition. He developed and taught a leadership course and regularly spoke on leadership, competition and coaching.
Saturday, October 31
Saturday, October 31
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