Feb. 13, 2001

Columbia, Mo.-The University of Missouri women's soccer team announces the hiring of new assistant soccer coach Manoj Khettry.

Khettry replaces three-year assistant Dave Collie who resigned to pursue other interests.

Prior to his Missouri appointment, Khettry served as the adidas' Contract Co-Manager of US Youth Soccer and the NSCAA in Beaverton, Ore. His primary duties included working on the contracts for US Youth Soccer, the NSCAA and as the primary contact with adidas International symbols and assets used in the US.

In 1998, he served as assistant coach with the University of California men's program heading their recruiting duties. He also coordinated summer soccer camps and athlete individual training sessions, along with daily coaching responsibilities.

Also in 1998, Khettry toured France with the adidas National Select U-14 team that participated in the adidas Cup Tournament in Paris.

While pursing a master's degree in Spanish from Miami University of Ohio from 1994-1997, Khettry was the Director of Coaching for the Cincinnati Classic Soccer Club. He was responsible for the direct coaching of up-to-four teams per year and the direct training of another 8 teams per season, as well as, for creating and implementing a club wide training curriculum for players within the club.

Prior to obtaining his master's degree, Khettry was the assistant men's soccer coach at Miami Ohio from 1991-1994. He once again served as the primary recruiting coordinator.

A seasoned athlete in his own right, Khettry played at Earlham College where he was twice named the team's Most Valuable Defensive Player from 1986-87. He was an NSCAA second team All-American selection and a recipient of the Charlie Matlack Award honoring the team's most influential athlete. In 1986, Khettry was named to the NSCAA All-Midwest first team and received the Virginia Trueblood Award for community service. He earned bachelor's degrees in English literature and Spanish from Earlham in 1988.

"We are very excited to have Manoj as a member of our staff," MU Head Coach Bryan Blitz says. "His knowledge and the level of sophistication he brings to our program is most exciting."

Khettry on Missouri
"One of my strengths is my ability to identify players, the diamonds in the rough, that are sometimes overlooked. I have worked with all different kinds of players and all different levels. I have a lot of experience on the field training players. I believe that coaching is creating a dynamic environment where athletes can get better and learn."

"I am very impressed with our players so far, their attitude is tremendous. We've been doing early morning workouts and I have yet to see one player look unmotivated. I think this is very reflective of Missouri's program. What will separate us from everyone else is our commitment, attitude and dedication."