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SHAWN GRIFFIN ('88): Griffin was a four-year member of the Plymouth State men's soccer team from 1983-86, served as an assistant coach in 1987, then enjoyed an eight-year span of incredible success as the program's head coach from 1992-99. All told, he was part of seven NCAA Tournament teams and four ECAC Tournaments at PSU, before departing for Hobart College where he is currently starting his 20th season. All told, Griffin boasts an impressive 295-163-50 (.630) coaching record across 27 seasons as a head coach.
During his four years as a student-athlete, Griffin helped the Panthers to a 52-14-16 record (.732) with three NCAA Tournament appearances. He was a member of perhaps the best Plymouth State team ever – the 1983 team that was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2000. After dropping the first game of the season the team ran off a 20-game unbeaten streak, which included winning the New England Regional and national quarterfinal games. PSU was nipped in the national semifinals by North Carolina-Greensboro, 1-0, on a game decided by penalty kicks. Three years later the Panthers were again New England Regional champions before losing in the national quarterfinal.
Over his eight years as head coach, Griffin led the Panthers to a 92-45-9 mark (.661), three NCAA Tournament appearances (1995, 97, 98), three ECAC Tournament selections (1993, 94, 99) and the championship game of the first-ever LEC Tournament in his final season, 1999.
His ability to attract and cultivate top talent was a significant component of his success. In his eight years, he mentored five NSCAA All-Americans, 18 NSCAA All-Region selections, five LEC Players of the Year and recruited five LEC Rookies of the Year. Under his guidance a total of 45 student-athletes garnered All-LEC honors, while he was selected by his peers as a four-time LEC Coach of the Year.
Although his 1997 team opened the year slowly, going 3-2 over its first five games, PSU ripped off a 13-game unbeaten streak in which the Panthers outscored opponents by a 55-8 margin. PSU qualified for the NCAA Tournament and topped Wheaton in penalty kicks before falling to Amherst in the regional final by a 3-2 margin.
His team came back with a vengeance in 1998, putting together one of the most impressive seasons in program history. Griffin's Panthers posted 11 shutouts during an unbeaten regular season (16-0-2), just the second in the then 42-year history of the program, which resulted in the team earning the #3 ranking in the nation. PSU was rewarded with the top seed in the New England Region and the right to host the NCAA Regionals. In a rematch with Amherst in the regional semifinal the Panthers came out on top with a 1-0 victory, scoring with just 3:10 remaining in regulation, before being nipped by Williams in the regional final, 3-2, to finish the year 17-1-2, matching the program-record for wins. At the conclusion of the season, Griffin was named NSCAA New England Region Coach of the Year.
His success has continued at Hobart College, where he's posted a 203-118-41 record (.617) in 19 full seasons as of his induction. His teams have made six NCAA Tournament appearances (2006-09, 11, 17), 12 Liberty League Tournaments, including two championships, and a pair of ECAC Tournaments. A three-time Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year, he has groomed 34 USC All-Region selections, two Liberty League Players of the Year, four Rookies of the Year and 90 all-conference athletes.
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