University community remembers first soccer coach

Brian Harvey was a well respected and beloved pillar in the OCU and Oklahoma soccer communities.

He was 76 when he passed away Jan. 13.

Harvey was the first head coach of the university men and women’s soccer teams, starting in 1986 with the men’s team, and 1994 with the women’s team. He played professional soccer all over the world before settling in as head coach, competing for teams in England, Australia, China and the United States.

Harvey is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame, OCU Athletics Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Soccer Association Hall of Fame.

In 34 years coaching at OCU, Brian Harvey only had five seasons with a winning percentage below .500 between both men and women’s soccer, with the sixth-most wins all time for NAIA men’s soccer coaches and second-most wins all time in the NAIA for women’s soccer coaches.

Throughout his coaching career at OCU, Harvey amassed a record of 813-341-70, with a winning percentage of .693.

In a press release from OCU Athletics, former Athletic Director Jim Abbott said, “Brian Harvey is an iconic figure in the history of Oklahoma City University Athletics.”

“Brian exuded integrity, positivity and character, and I’m so grateful for his friendship and the example he set for our department every day.”

University President Dr. Kenneth Evans said, “Oklahoma City University is forever grateful for his contributions to the sport and the school over his illustrious career.”

Jimmy Hampton, head coach for the men and women’s soccer teams at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma said, “Coach Harvey is the standard in Oklahoma soccer.” A service was held at Frontline Church Downtown Jan. 28.