HICKORY, North Carolina – UNCW Head Men's Soccer Coach
Aidan Heaney was recognized by the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame recently as a member of the 1993 and 1994 Greensboro Dynamo, which was named to the organization's National Champions Hall of Honor.
Heaney was a goalkeeper for the 1993 and 1994 Dynamo squads that combined for a 32-4 record, including back-to-back U.S. Interregional Soccer League titles.
The Dynamo, started in 1993 by English businessman Neil Macpherson, authored a 14-2 record in its inaugural season before winning three playoff games by a 15-1 margin for its first league crown.
In 2004, Greensboro posted an 18-2 mark during the regular season and earned the right to host the league's Final Four. The Dynamo outlasted Long Island in the semifinals, 2-1, in overtime before edging Minnesota in a shootout to secure the club's second straight championship.
"It is an honor to be selected into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame, especially with this group of players from the Greensboro Dynamo," said Heaney, who completed his 19th season as the Seahawks' bench boss. "The 1993 and 1994 seasons were so memorable for us and it was a special group of players to be able to achieve what we were able to achieve. The USISL was the main league prior to Major League Soccer starting, so it felt like a pioneering league of sorts.
"I would like to say thank you to our owner, Neil Macpherson, and General Manager Buckley Andrews for their vision and passion for the sport. I also want to thank Head Coach Michael Parker and his assistant coach, Eric Vaughter, for their leadership. Eric and I spent a lot of time together as he was my goalkeeper coach. He is the best and had a major influence on my career as a player and a coach."
Duke Head Women's Soccer Coach Robbie Church, referee Kim Oberle and former UNCG Head Women's Soccer Coach Eddie Radwanski were inducted into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame. The ceremony was conducted at the Hickory Metro Convention Center.
