Tony Guinn, who directed Racine Saint Catherine's High School soccer teams to twelve conference championships in the 1990's, and compiled winning records at Division III Saint Mary's University (Minn.) and Division I Western Illinois University, has been named head men's soccer coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. 

"We are excited to announce that Tony Guinn will carry on the tradition of UW-Whitewater men's soccer." athletics director Dr. Paul Plinske said.  "Tony is a proven winner.  Not only does he have a wealth of experience at various levels, but he is very familiar with Wisconsin and Illinois, which will assist him greatly as he recruits the best soccer players to our institution.  His knowledge of the game, passion for the student-athletes, and unwavering integrity were especially appealing to me.  Every person I have talked with has the utmost respect for coach Guinn and believes he will help bring our program to another level," Plinske added.

Guinn played soccer at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 1985-87, and graduated from Carthage College in 1989.  He received a master's degree from the United States Sports Academy in 1993. 

"UW-W was attractive to me because of the school's athletic and academic reputation nationally," said Guinn.  "It was also an opportunity for me to come home and be close to family.  I have a great network in the state because of growing up in Wisconsin and my career.  I emigrated from Ireland in 1976 and we came to Racine, so it is home," Guinn noted.

From 1990 to 2001 Guinn was the head coach of St. Catherine's boy's team and the girl's team, amassing a 273-86-19 record.  He was named Wisconsin High School Coach of the Year in 1996, and in 2003 added Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association Coach of the Year honors while serving as the Director/Club Coach of the Racine Soccer Club U-17 team. He guided his club to back-to-back Premier League State Champions in 2000 and 2001.

From 2004-2006 he coached the women's team at Saint Mary's, also serving as a physical education instructor.  He went 30-20-4, and had the team ranked in its Division III regional poll during the 2005 season.   Guinn moved to Macomb, Illinois to take over the Division I Summit League program for the 2007 season, and over the course of the next five seasons went 49-37-10.  His 2007 squad went 16-3-1 to win the Summit League title, earning Guinn league coach of the year honors.  That squad and the 2010 team finished second in the Summit League's postseason tournament. 

Guinn's tenure at WIU produced eight College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-Americans and recognition of eighty Summit League scholar-athletes, as well as participating in campus and community service projects. 

"I am a teacher first and a coach second," noted Guinn.  "I think big picture, and I want to make a difference with my players.  I have three goals for this program:  do what's right; do your best; always treat others the way you want to be treated."

Guinn will be just the fourth men's soccer coach at UW-W since the program's inception in 1978.  Gene Cardinal coached from 1978-87 (53-89-9, .389), Bob Fiskum from 1988-98 (103-70-20, .585), and Greg Henschel the last thirteen year (164-68-20, .690).  Whitewater has earned eleven NCAA Division III tournament berths since affiliating with the NCAA in 1980.  The 1999, 2001 and 2010 squads advanced to the sweet sixteen of the national tournament.

UW-W men's soccer has earned at least a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship since it became a league sponsored sport in 2009.

For additional information:  Paul Plinske, director of athletics, 262-472-4661 or plinskep@uww.edu