Amanda Cromwell
Encyclopedia
Amanda Caryl Cromwell is the head coach of the women's soccer program
at the University of Central Florida
. Cromwell has led the Knights since 1999, with only one losing season, four tournament and eight regular season championships. UCF has made 10 NCAA Tournaments
under her watch.
Cromwell played for the Virginia Cavaliers
from 1988–1992, where she captained the team to the 1991 NCAA Final Four. From 1991 to 1998, she was a member of the United States women's national soccer team
, which earned third place in the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup and the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics
. After departing the national team, Cromwell played for the Maryland Pride
, Tampa Bay Xtreme
, Charlotte Eagles
, Washington Freedom
, Atlanta Beat and San Jose CyberRays
.
From 2002 to 2006, Cromwell served as a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
, after being appointed by President
George W. Bush
.
on June 15, 1970. She graduated in 1988 from Annandale High School
in Annandale, Virginia
, where she won a state championship and four district titles. In 1992, she graduated from the University of Virginia
with a bachelor's degree in biology. During her tenure with the Virginia Cavaliers, Cromwell helped lead the team as captain to the Final Four in 1991. That season she finished as a finalist for the Hermann Trophy
and Women's Collegiate Soccer Player of the Year.
She was a four-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) selection, and three-time All-South Region team selection. Cromwell was also a two-time NSCAA All-American and a Soccer America MVP, and was voted the team's MVP in 1989. As a freshman in 1988, she was named Soccer America's Freshman of the Year and the Cavalier's Rookie of the Year. Cromwell was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary Team.
, and a gold medal during the 1996 Summer Olympics. During her time on the national team, she earned 55 caps
.
Between her tenure on the national team, and after she left in 1998, Cromwell played professionally in the United States and abroad. Between 1997 and 2003, she played for the Maryland Pride
, Tampa Bay Xtreme
, Charlotte Eagles
, Washington Freedom
, Atlanta Beat and San Jose CyberRays
. In 2004 she played for the Hammarby Soccer Club
in Sweden.
In 2010, Cromwell was inducted into the Virginia-DC Soccer Hall of Fame.
women's team from 1996 to 1997.
UCF Knights women's soccer
The University of Central Florida Knights women's soccer program, commonly referred to as the UCF Knights, represents the University of Central Florida in National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I. The Knights compete in Conference USA and play their home games on UCF's main campus in...
at the University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
. Cromwell has led the Knights since 1999, with only one losing season, four tournament and eight regular season championships. UCF has made 10 NCAA Tournaments
NCAA Women's Soccer Championship
NCAA Women's Soccer Championships are divided into three divisions. This article lists NCAA Women's soccer championships.-Division I:The NCAA began conducting a Women's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1982 with a 12-team tournament...
under her watch.
Cromwell played for the Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia Cavaliers
The Virginia Cavaliers, also known as Wahoos or Hoos, are the athletic teams officially representing the University of Virginia in college sports. The Cavaliers compete in 25 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
from 1988–1992, where she captained the team to the 1991 NCAA Final Four. From 1991 to 1998, she was a member of the United States women's national soccer team
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
, which earned third place in the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup and the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
. After departing the national team, Cromwell played for the Maryland Pride
Maryland Pride
The Maryland Pride is a WPSL club based in Howard County, Maryland. The team changed ownership in mid-season 2007 when the Thunder Soccer Club in Columbia, Maryland took over the team....
, Tampa Bay Xtreme
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
, Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
, Washington Freedom
Washington Freedom
The Washington Freedom was an American professional soccer club based in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Germantown, Maryland that participated in Women's Professional Soccer. The Freedom was originally founded in 2001 as a member of the defunct Women's United Soccer Association. Since 2004, the...
, Atlanta Beat and San Jose CyberRays
San Jose CyberRays
San Jose CyberRays was a professional soccer team that played in the Women's United Soccer Association. The team played at Spartan Stadium on the South Campus of San José State University in San Jose, California. Stars included U.S. National Team star Brandi Chastain, WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year...
.
From 2002 to 2006, Cromwell served as a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
The President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition , is an American government organization that aims to "promote, encourage and motivate Americans of all ages to become physically active and participate in sport"...
, after being appointed by President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
.
Early life
Cromwell was born in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on June 15, 1970. She graduated in 1988 from Annandale High School
Annandale High School
Annandale High School is an International Baccalaureate high school in Annandale, Virginia, United States. It is part of the Fairfax County Public Schools system....
in Annandale, Virginia
Annandale, Virginia
Annandale is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 41,008 at the 2010 census, down from 54,994 in 2000 due to the splitting off of the western part of it to form Wakefield and Woodburn CDP's.-Geography:...
, where she won a state championship and four district titles. In 1992, she graduated from the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
with a bachelor's degree in biology. During her tenure with the Virginia Cavaliers, Cromwell helped lead the team as captain to the Final Four in 1991. That season she finished as a finalist for the Hermann Trophy
Hermann Trophy
The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
and Women's Collegiate Soccer Player of the Year.
She was a four-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) selection, and three-time All-South Region team selection. Cromwell was also a two-time NSCAA All-American and a Soccer America MVP, and was voted the team's MVP in 1989. As a freshman in 1988, she was named Soccer America's Freshman of the Year and the Cavalier's Rookie of the Year. Cromwell was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary Team.
Professional career
Upon graduation from Virginia, Cromwell joined the United States women's national soccer team. While on the team, Cromwell earned a bronze medal during the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup in SwedenSweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, and a gold medal during the 1996 Summer Olympics. During her time on the national team, she earned 55 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
.
Between her tenure on the national team, and after she left in 1998, Cromwell played professionally in the United States and abroad. Between 1997 and 2003, she played for the Maryland Pride
Maryland Pride
The Maryland Pride is a WPSL club based in Howard County, Maryland. The team changed ownership in mid-season 2007 when the Thunder Soccer Club in Columbia, Maryland took over the team....
, Tampa Bay Xtreme
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
, Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
, Washington Freedom
Washington Freedom
The Washington Freedom was an American professional soccer club based in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Germantown, Maryland that participated in Women's Professional Soccer. The Freedom was originally founded in 2001 as a member of the defunct Women's United Soccer Association. Since 2004, the...
, Atlanta Beat and San Jose CyberRays
San Jose CyberRays
San Jose CyberRays was a professional soccer team that played in the Women's United Soccer Association. The team played at Spartan Stadium on the South Campus of San José State University in San Jose, California. Stars included U.S. National Team star Brandi Chastain, WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year...
. In 2004 she played for the Hammarby Soccer Club
Hammarby IF DFF
Hammarby IF DFF is a football club from Stockholm, capital of Sweden. The letters DFF, meaning damfotbollsförening or women's football association, separates the club from Hammarby IF FF which is the men's division of the same club...
in Sweden.
In 2010, Cromwell was inducted into the Virginia-DC Soccer Hall of Fame.
Coaching career
Cromwell served as an assistant coach at her alma mater from 1992 to 1994, before becoming the head coach of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) RetrieversUMBC Retrievers
The UMBC Retrievers represent the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in NCAA Division I athletics. The official colors of the Retrievers are black and gold with red . The Retrievers field 17 varsity sports; eight men and nine women. UMBC competes in the America East athletic conference...
women's team from 1996 to 1997.