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CHARLOTTESVILLE The Virginia Athletics Department announced Friday (Sept. 5) that the University and head men’s soccer coach George Gelnovatch have agreed on a new four-year contract. Gelnovatch’s new contract runs through June of 2012.

“George Gelnovatch has been a part of the University community as a student-athlete, an assistant coach, and for the past 13 years, as our head coach. No one has as extensive a background in the UVa soccer program,” said Virginia Athletics Director Craig Littlepage. “Beyond being a coach, George is a mentor, and valued colleague who always has the best interests of his players in mind.”

Gelnovatch, a two-time ACC Coach of the Year, is in his 13th year as the Cavaliers’ head coach and has compiled a 185-69-21 record. A former All-American who played at Virginia from 1983-86, Gelnovatch assumed head coaching responsibilities after playing professionally and beginning his coaching career as an assistant at UVa.

“I have always considered it to be a privilege to be a part of the University of Virginia, both as a former student-athlete and as a coach,” said Gelnovatch. “To continue working as a part of the University’s athletic department is an honor. I have never been more motivated than I am right now by the current group of young men that we have in the program. This group is talented and exciting, and has the potential to do great things.”

Under Gelnovatch, Virginia men’s soccer has won three ACC Tournament titles, two regular season ACC Championships and has made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2007, the Cavaliers extended the nation’s longest active streak and made their 27th-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

Virginia has won at least 15 games in a season eight times under Gelnovatch, and with 16 victories in 1998, he became the first coach in ACC history to reach the 50-win mark in only three seasons.

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