EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) men's soccer team announced on Thursday the addition of two volunteer assistant coaches, including McAllen Youth Soccer Association Executive Director and Houston Dynamo South Texas Academy and Junior Program Director of Coaching Gary Hamilton, and former Coker College assistant coach Stephen Scrivens.
 
Hamilton, whose soccer coaching experience in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) includes serving as the first head coach of the RGV Grandes of the Premier Development League in 2011, has been in the region since 1993. He is a staff member for the Region III Olympic Development Program (ODP), where he has been a head coach for the past 14 years. Hamilton has also been a South Texas Youth Soccer Association (STYSA) ODP Head Coach for the past 18 years and a STYSA coaching instructor for the past 16 years.
 
Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, Hamilton came to the RGV following a distinguished playing career with Middlesbrough FC of the English Football League. He played in 272 matches with the first team between the ages of 17 and 23 before retiring due to a knee injury. Hamilton also played for the U18 Scottish National Team, competing in the European Championships in Russia in 1984. He represented his country 15 times.
 
"We are very fortunate to have Gary working with our team," UTRGV head coach Paul Leese said. "He has played at the highest level and brings tremendous experience, but it is his ability to develop young players that will benefit our student-athletes. Many of our players have come to UTRGV with professional aspirations and the knowledge they will gain from working closely with Gary will help them reach that goal."
 
Scrivens is one of Leese's former student-athletes, playing for Leese at Coker College from 2011-14 before serving as an assistant coach to Leese's successor last season.
 
During his playing career, Scrivens totaled seven goals and 10 assists for 24 points in 73 matches (66 starts). He was a team captain during his final two seasons. Scrivens helped lead Coker to a No. 5 national ranking, a No. 1 regional ranking, and an 18-3-0 record in 2011 by putting up a performance worthy of Second Team All-Conference honors.
 
Originally from Tampa, Fla., Scrivens earned his bachelor's degree in sports management in 2014. He is currently working on his Master of Science in College Athletic Administration, which he expects to complete in September.
 
"I am ecstatic that Stephen has joined us here at UTRGV," Leese said. "He was a leader on the field and a driving force of Coker's Championship winning teams of 2011 and 2012. He is very familiar with my expectations and our style of play. His work ethic and commitment to this team will be a model for our student-athletes."

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