Hampton Roads Piranhas News Release - www.hrpiranhas.com

Friday, January 25, 2008

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA -- The Hampton Roads Piranhas announced today that PDL Piranhas’ head coach Jon Hall will return to coach the team for the 2008 season. Hall, last season’s Premier Development League Coach of the Year, led the team to a regular season 14-0-2 record, finishing 2007 as the PDL’s only undefeated team.

The team also set a PDL record in 2007 with 10 consecutive shutouts. The red and white scored 42 goals on the season, allowing only six, outscoring their opponents 16-1 at home and 26-5 on the road.

The 2007 squad was very successful under Hall’s leadership and the team’s individual accomplishments were extraordinary. Five players, Evan Newton, John Gilkerson, David Horst, KK Lima and Andrew Wheeler, were selected to the All-Eastern Conference team, the first time in PDL history that five players from one team were selected for the honor. Goalkeeper Newton was named Premier Development League Goalkeeper of the year, U19 Player of the Year and he also earned the PDL GAA Champion award. Defender David Horst was named Premier Development League Defender of the Year and Forward Andrew Wheeler was named one of three finalists for Premier Development League Player of the year. Horst and Piranha’s defender Yomby William were both selected in the top 25 in the 2008 Major League Soccer Draft.

“Our 2007 squad was a special team,” said Hall. “And for 2008, we are going after players that are as good. We are working very hard in the offseason to put together as entertaining a team as we had last year.”

Hall made his USL coaching debut in 2006 with the Virginia Beach Submariners. He led the team to a Mid-Atlantic Divisional Championship with a 10-3-1 record.

His professional playing career included stints with the Hampton Roads Hurricanes, the Hampton Roads Mariners and the Richmond Kickers. He also played professionally in England. He played his college ball at American University where on Oct. 6, 1987 he set an NCAA record by scoring twice in nine seconds in a game against George Washington. He was a freshman. He attended American on a full scholarship and played every minute for four years. He scored 30 goals during his collegiate career, earning all-South Atlantic Region and All-CAA honors.

Hall currently coaches for Beach FC, is a State Olympic Development Program Coach and is the District ODP Director of Coaching. Hall is also the Athletic Director at Baylake Pines School. He resides with his family in Virginia Beach.

The Premier Development League plays a 16-game regular season schedule, running from April 26 to July 20. The Piranhas’ 2008 schedule is due to be released this week.