Bolivar, Mo. - Southwest Baptist University announced the hiring of Chris Dinwiddie as the new men's soccer head coach earlier this week. Coach Dinwiddie will be the first head coach of men's soccer since the sport was reinstated at Southwest Baptist University earlier this fall.

"I am very pleased and excited that Chris Dinwiddie has accepted our offer to be the head coach for the new men's soccer team," SBU President Dr. Pat Taylor stated.  "Chris is an excellent teacher and has a deep commitment to students.  He is well-respected by the SBU faculty and staff.  For many years Chris has been a student of the game of soccer and I look forward to the success he will bring to the men's soccer program."

Coach Dinwiddie has been the SBU men's club soccer coach for the past six seasons, and is also currently an instructor of psychology. Coach Dinwiddie is married to Ashley Dinwiddie, who is the administrative assistant to the president at SBU. Chris received his undergraduate degree from Langston University, his Master's Degrees in Marriage and Family Counseling and in Christian Education, and a PhD in Psychology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

"I am very pleased to announce that Chris Dinwiddie will lead our men's soccer program effective immediately," SBU Director of Athletics Mike Pitts commented. "Chris was the obvious choice from the earliest conversations we had about men's soccer. He is already very involved in the soccer world, and also well connected on the academic side of the SBU family. Chris is a guy who will come in and give student-athletes a great opportunity to grow not only as soccer players, but also in the classroom. He is a perfect fit - and couldn't be happier that he is leading the newest Bearcats on campus."

Coach Dinwiddie is excited and ready for what lies ahead: "I am excited that SBU has reinstated men's soccer, and I am looking forward to the challenge of building a competitive team."