Scott Halkett, former coach at Eastside High School, has been promoted to men's head soccer coach at USC Upstate.
Halkett is a former Eastside High School head soccer coach and played for the Greenville Shamrocks in a professional soccer league that played its home games in Greer.
Hooks, a coach for nearly 30 years, has led the Spartans for 22 seasons. He led the program to its first appearance in the ASUN Men’s Soccer Championship Game in 2015, as well as six NCAA Division II Tournament appearances with championship game appearances in 1995 and 1998. He also transitioned the team into Division I. Hooks was inducted into the USC Upstate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.
“I have enjoyed my time at Upstate, and I am appreciative of the opportunity that was offered to me in 1995 to be the soccer coach,” Hooks said. “I inherited a talented group of players in 1995, and I've been fortunate to be able to coach a lot of great young men over the past 22 years.”
In Hooks’ first year with the program in 1995, with a team then known as the Rifles, Hooks had an overall record of 17-5-2, a Peach Belt Tournament Championship and a runner-up finish in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Hooks’ star sweeper and a captain of the 1995 team, Halkett will become the program’s fifth head coach.
“I'm very excited that Scott will be the new coach,” Hooks said. “He has been a major contributor to the program for a long time, and I am very confident that he and the program will be successful.”
Halkett said Hooks has served as a wonderful mentor, encouraging him and each year adding a little more responsibility to his duties as a coach.
“I’m honored to be named the next head coach,” Halkett said. “Working under Greg’s leadership has been fantastic. He has given me so many opportunities to get involved in the program, to be a better coach and to learn more about recruiting.”
“Greg came to the University during my senior year, and we had a great year,” Halkett said. “We played in the national championship game. I never would have dreamed that 22 years later, I would take over this program from him. I’m very thankful.”
Halkett, an assistant coach for the Spartans for four years, was promoted earlier this year to associate head coach.
The first men’s soccer game of the 2017-18 season is set for 7 p.m., Thursday, August 17.