Texas Border Business
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque announced on Friday that Mark Foster, who spent the last four seasons (2018-21) as the head coach at Little Rock, is the new women’s soccer head coach.
During his tenure at Little Rock, where he was originally hired by Conque, Foster guided the program to three Sun Belt Conference Tournament appearances (2018, 2020, and 2021), the program’s first-ever Sun Belt Tournament Championship (2018), the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament (2018) appearance, and a single-season program record 13 wins (2018).
Foster has made defense one of his primary focuses as his teams posted 32 shutouts while continually ranking in the top half of the Sun Belt in goals against average.
Foster also guided seven players to All-Sun Belt honors and five to All-Sun Belt Tournament honors.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Foster and his family to UTRGV,” Conque said. “I had the distinct privilege of working alongside Mark during our time together at Little Rock. Not only did we appreciate the unprecedented success he accomplished, but the way he valued the student-athlete experience. Mark, Jessie, and their two children will be wonderful assets for our program and community. I’m excited for the future of UTRGV soccer.”
Foster arrived at Little Rock after spending the 2017 season as an assistant coach at South Alabama, where he helped the program to Sun Belt Conference and Sun Belt Tournament Championships.
Foster spent the previous six seasons at his alma mater, Trevecca Nazarene University, where he was the head coach the final four seasons. Foster is the program’s second-winningest head coach after compiling a 40-27-8 record.
Foster guided Trevecca Nazarene to three-straight winning seasons (2014-16), including a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) title in 2016. H was named G-MAC Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2016.
“I am honored and humbled for this opportunity with UTRGV,” Foster said. “I want to thank UTRGV President Dr. Guy Bailey, UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque, and Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator Molly Castner for trusting me to lead the women’s soccer program. This opportunity was too good to turn down. UTRGV is going places and is headed in the right direction. I look forward to being part of UTRGV’s bright future. I have heard great things about the program and I can’t wait to get on the pitch and get to work.”
As a player, Foster was a four-time All-TranSouth Athletic Conference selection, earning First Team honors in 2005 and 2008 while earning Second Team honors in 2006 and 2007. Foster was named TranSouth Player of the Year in 2008 and Freshman of the Year in 2005.
Foster finished his career as the program leader in goals (41) and points (95) while tying for first in assists (13) and was inducted into the Trevecca Nazarene Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. Foster is the only player in program history to have his number retired.
Foster, a native of Newcastle, Ireland, graduated from Trevecca Nazarene in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT MARK FOSTER
Richard Moodie, South Alabama Women’s Soccer Head Coach
I have known Mark for a number of years in a variety of capacities. We grew together as coaches through licensures, competed against each other at both the Division I and II levels, and then I was fortunate enough to coach with him while he was here at South Alabama. What you see is what you get. An honest, hard working coach that is passionate about the game and the success of his players. There is never an easy game when you play against his teams. They are always organized, disciplined, and play with passion. There is no reason to think why Mark won’t be success anywhere he goes.
Jeff Carr, Eastern Florida State Athletic Director
Mark is a remarkable coach and person. He played for me in college and then once I became an athletic director I tried to hire him several times. You have a good one that knows the game inside and out and is going to represent your program with the utmost integrity and class. He will take your program to the next level.
Kevin O’Brien, Lipscomb Women’s Soccer Head Coach
I am thrilled to hear the news that Mark Foster has been hired by UTRGV! He’s a fantastic coach whose eye for talent and phenomenal work ethic will do wonders for the Vaqueros as their head coach. Even more importantly, he’s an incredible person that can be trusted with the hearts and minds of formative young women. As a close personal friend and coaching colleague for over 10 years, I can attest to Mark’s sensational care and concern for his players and staff. Mark is a kind and considerate leader whose steadfast disposition make him the kind of coach I’d want my own daughter playing under. I wish Mark, Jesse, Campbell and Blake the best as they excitingly transition to this new adventure in their lives.
