Ralph Lundy
Former College of Charleston and Erskine College men’s soccer coach Ralph Lundy retired in 2019 after 44 seasons and ranks in the top-25 in all-time wins amongst Division I coaches after posting a career coaching mark of 453-350-66, including a 323-279-53 record at CofC.
The Sparta, NC native was first a three-sport athlete at Allegheny High (football, wrestling and baseball) and then again at Western Carolina (soccer, wrestling and baseball). He helped the Catamounts soccer team to an 8-2 soccer record in 1970 and a trip to the NAIA District V playoffs. He served as co-captain of the team in ‘71 and led the Catamounts to a 7-2-2 record. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1972.
After a two-year stint with the U.S. Marine Corps, Lundy returned to Western as a graduate assistant and earned his master's degree in physical education. Prior to attending Western Carolina, Lundy spent two seasons at Brevard College where he played baseball and soccer. In 2006, he was enshrined in both the Brevard College and Western Carolina Halls of Fame.
Lundy began his coaching career at Erskine College in 1976. Over 11 years he compiled a 131-71-13 with 10 winning seasons. He led the Flying Fleet to seven district titles and three NAIA National Tournaments. Lundy was inducted into the Erskine Athletics Hall of Fame and an annual soccer award is given in his honor.
He led the College of Charleston to a 323-279-53 record during his 33 years as head coach from 1987-2019. His Cougar teams enjoyed 19 winning seasons, five conference championships and five appearances in the NCAA Tournament including an Elite Eight appearance in 1994. Lundy’s win total includes victories over five national champions, as well as, Notre Dame, Stanford, Ohio State, Wake Forest, North Carolina, N.C. State, Duke and South Carolina. Lundy is a member of the College of Charleston Athletic Hall of Fame.
He has dedicated his life to the game of soccer for the state of South Carolina as he works with state and local officials to help build soccer facilities. He also worked as state director for the S.C. Youth Soccer Association for 10 years, served as director of the Mount Pleasant Youth Soccer Club and was co-director of the McDonald’s All-American High School boys and girls soccer games played in Charleston.
The soccer fields at Erskine and College of Charleston are both named in his honor.