Lindo to Lead VIU Men's Soccer

NANAIMO - VIU's men's soccer program will have a new but familiar face at the helm for the 2022 season.

Kevin Lindo, head coach for VIU Mariners women's soccer from 2017-22, has been named the new head coach for the VIU men. His hiring follows the departure of Larry Stefanek, who accepted a men's soccer head coaching position with the UVic Vikes this spring.

Lindo said that he is "very excited" to start working with the men's soccer program at VIU.

"The opportunity to build on what Larry achieved was an exciting prospect," Lindo said. "I know many of the guys and had the pleasure of coaching some of them from ages as young as 11. To continue their development was a big draw."

Lindo's teams won two PACWEST provincial conference titles and a Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association national silver medal during his four seasons as Mariners head coach, and he was named PACWEST Women's Soccer Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2019.

"It was such a honour to coach the women's team," Lindo said, who added that he learned a lot during his time in that role. "The team is made up of tremendous role models that inspire many young athletes in the community. I have been very fortunate to lead them and look forward to cheering them on!"

His soccer success in Nanaimo goes beyond his work with the Mariners. Lindo led Nanaimo United FC's Division 1 men's squad to back-to-back Jackson Cup championships (2020 & 2022) in the Vancouver Island Soccer League and oversees the United U16-18 boys and U21 men's programs. He also assists area sport programs in his role as PacificSport VI's Athlete and Coach Services Coordinator.

Lindo has played and coached soccer for more than 20 years. He has worked as a Football Development Officer for the English Football Association and as a development coach for New York Red Bulls and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Danielle Hyde, Director of Athletics and Recreation at VIU, said that the Mariners are excited to have Lindo lead the men's soccer program. "He is a fixture within Nanaimo soccer and his passion for the game combined with his connection to the community will undoubtedly lead to great things for the program."

Mariners men's soccer earned a 4-4-1 record in conference regular season play in 2021 and brought home silver medals from the PACWEST provincial championship. The 2022 season kicks off in September and the league schedule will be released in the summer.

For more information, please contact Matt Carter, VIU Mariners Communications & Sport Information Coordinator, at 250-740-6402 or matt.carter@viu.ca.