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Courtesy of Radford University

Marc Reeves will lead the Highlanders this season after coming from St. John's University, where he spent the past 11 seasons as an assistant coach.

| Chuck Altizer

Special to The Roanoke Times

For the first time 16 years, the Radford Highlander men's soccer team has a new coach at the helm.

Marc Reeves will lead the Highlanders this season after coming over from St. John's, where he spent the past 11 seasons as an assistant coach.

Reeves replaces Spencer Smith, who left as RU's all-time leader in wins, and hopes to bring the Highlanders to new heights.

"I enjoyed every moment at St. John's, and it really took some place special to leave," Reeves said. "I get excited every time I turn across the bridge and see Cupp Stadium. This is a great place for my family, and the support from the administration is great.

"I really believe this is a place you can have a successful program."

Though it's not as if the soccer program at RU, starting its 36th season, hasn't had its share of success: the Highlanders have had only 13 losing seasons.

The history is something that Reeves feels he can build on.

"This program has a great tradition," he said. "It is a great program in a great league. The Big South is not an easy league, so we want to do well in the Big South and play a good non-league schedule."

The players were stoked at the credentials that Reeves brings to the squad.

Not only did he coach at a perennial Top 25 program in St. John's, but his personality and attention to detail was noticed quickly.

"He comes from a strong program and brings that mentality with him," senior midfielder James Leith said.

"He has a lot of passion for the game and puts a lot of work into making us better."

Senior defender Brendan Shaffer has noticed the smoothness of the transition.

"He has made the transition a lot easier with his personality," he said. "There has been a lot of hard work, but it has been fun. He has made the hard work fun."

Both Leith and Shaffer are from Virginia high schools.

Leith comes from Oakton High School in Northern Virginia, while Shaffer attended Battlefield High School -- and both are part of Reeves' philosophy when it comes to recruiting.

"We know there are good players in Virginia and want to make sure we get them and then blend in some good international players," Reeves said.

"But like everyone, we are always wanting to recruiting good people."

Reeves thinks that they have the facilities to do that.

"We have a great practice field right next to the river," he said. "What a great view, a little different than Queens, but very nice.

"These aren't mid-major facilities, two great practice fields and one of the nicest stadiums in the Big South if not the country, and the overall campus is nice -- what a good place to build a program."

The team is picked to finish fifth in the Big South.

But there is confidence in the RU camp that they can make this season special.

"Our goal is the win the Big South championship and make the NCAA tournament," Leith said. "We definitely want to be there, but we will have to work at it."