Former Wooster coach Bob Nye to be inducted into Ohio Collegiate Soccer Hall of Fame

Nye, who guided the Scots to six OAC titles and a national golf championship, will be honored Sept. 20 during Wooster’s home soccer match.

Kevin Smith Kevin Smith College of Wooster

Published September 4, 2025 - 5:00 a.m. Modified September 15, 2025 - 3:46 p.m.

Bob Nye, the late College of Wooster coach who led the men’s soccer team for 31 seasons and also guided the golf program to a national title, has been selected for induction into the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association Hall of Fame.

Bob Nye, who led The College of Wooster men’s soccer team to a 269-188-41 record over 31 seasons as head coach, has been selected for induction to the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association Hall of Fame, as announced recently by the organization. The presentation for Nye’s induction will be made by the OCSA at halftime of the 4 p.m. men’s soccer home game against the University of Mount Union on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Nye took over as head coach in 1964 and led the program until 1994. His 1977 team placed fourth in the NCAA Division III Championship, posted a 14-5 record and went 6-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Wooster made five other NCAA Div. III Championship appearances under Nye and played in the College Division Mideast Regional six times prior to the creation of NCAA Div. III.

At the conference level, Nye’s teams won six OAC titles and one North Coast Athletic Conference championship. His teams posted winning records 23 times. Ian Banda was voted the Div. III National Player of the Year in 1990 and was a four-time United Soccer Coaches All-American under Nye. In all, 14 All-America honors were earned by Nye-coached players. Tom Kazembe was a three-time Ohio Offensive Player of the Year while Fighting Scots earned eight Ohio Player of the Year honors in all under Nye.

At the conference level, Banda was a four-time NCAC Offensive Player of the Year, Mphatso Namwali earned NCAC Defensive Player of the Year laurels in 1995 and Nye was a two-time NCAC Coach of the Year.

Nye served as Wooster’s men’s golf coach from 1966-96. He led the program to the 1975 national championship and 10 other top 10 finishes at nationals. Additionally, he was the golf professional at L.C. Boles Memorial Golf Courses and instructed courses in the physical education department at the college.

Nationally, Nye served a term as president of the United Soccer Coaches, then known as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He was bestowed the honor award for lifetime achievements and contributions to the sport of soccer by the organization. Later, he was the president of the Golf Coaches Association of America. Nye has been inducted into numerous halls of fame for his success in both golf and soccer.

Nye passed away in 2014.