Head Coaches: Ryan McCord and Sydney Browder
In Memorium: Lars Van Dam
Coach Lars Van Dam was the esteemed head coach for UNC Women's Club Soccer since the fall of 2013. From 2008-2012, he coached the team together with Chris Baggett. Lars was focused on the team's continual improvement and was passionate about the team's academic performance and disposition to learning.
Previously, Lars coached women's amateur teams in California. He co-coached Ajax (Palo Alto, CA) to 13 San Francisco Bay Area Championships. In addition, he coached the SF Rangers to multiple Golden Gate Women's Soccer championships.
He has coached many players that have gone on to have successful professional soccer careers with teams such as the Boston Breakers, Carolina Courage, Philadelphia Charge, Vancouver Whitecaps and Linköpings FC in Sweden. Lars has coached former Chinese and USWNT players including Leslie Osborne and Danielle Slaton.
Lars's professional career was focused on advice and research for technology companies. He had a BS in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Lars is survived by wife Nisha Gottfredson and children; Alden and Renske, who frequently attended practices and games. In addition to spending time with family and soccer, Lars enjoyed skiing, hiking, solving problems and learning.
Lars passed away due to complications from cancer on September 25th, 2019. He is survived by his wife and two children. His memory and legacy lives on in each and every one of the players he coached and the hundreds of lives he inspired and cared so deeply for in his 46 years.
Previously, Lars coached women's amateur teams in California. He co-coached Ajax (Palo Alto, CA) to 13 San Francisco Bay Area Championships. In addition, he coached the SF Rangers to multiple Golden Gate Women's Soccer championships.
He has coached many players that have gone on to have successful professional soccer careers with teams such as the Boston Breakers, Carolina Courage, Philadelphia Charge, Vancouver Whitecaps and Linköpings FC in Sweden. Lars has coached former Chinese and USWNT players including Leslie Osborne and Danielle Slaton.
Lars's professional career was focused on advice and research for technology companies. He had a BS in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Lars is survived by wife Nisha Gottfredson and children; Alden and Renske, who frequently attended practices and games. In addition to spending time with family and soccer, Lars enjoyed skiing, hiking, solving problems and learning.
Lars passed away due to complications from cancer on September 25th, 2019. He is survived by his wife and two children. His memory and legacy lives on in each and every one of the players he coached and the hundreds of lives he inspired and cared so deeply for in his 46 years.