Former NCAA Division I University of North Carolina at Charlotte standout midfielder Mark Sloan has been hired as a graduate assistant coach at John Brown University, head men's soccer coach Brenton Benware announced on Friday, March 22.
Sloan, a three-year letter winner for the 49ers, comes to John Brown after suiting up with Charlotte for a trio of seasons. The Carlisle, England, native accumulated one goal and two assists (four points) during his collegiate career, including a helper in Charlotte's 3-2 loss to Virginia Tech in the second round of the 2016 Division I Men's Soccer Championship Tournament.
"We are thrilled to have Mark joining our program and coaching staff, as he was a standout applicant for this position," said Benware. "His successful soccer experience, knowledge of the game, ability to relate to players and his heart for Christ are among the qualities that make him an excellent fit for our program. Mark will surely make an immediate, positive impact within the lives of our young men."
Sloan will join a JBU squad that has played .500 soccer for the past two seasons, but has also recorded four wins over NAIA top-25 opponents and reached the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament semifinals last season. The Golden Eagles enter 2019 looking to reach the NAIA National Championships for the first time since 2016.
Including two Conference USA regular season titles, Sloan helped the 49ers make appearances in three consecutive NCAA Division I National Championship Tournaments. He recorded his first collegiate goal, a game-winner, in Charlotte's 3-1 win over Marshall during his junior campaign.
Prior to starting off his collegiate career at Erskine College (S.C.), Sloan competed in one season in the Belgian First Division B after spending the previous three years in both the National League and League One of England.
Finishing up his studies in the spring of 2017, Sloan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and completed minors in English and America studies and was named to the Pinnacle Honor Society.
Sports on 03/27/2019