SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri State men's soccer head coach Michael Seabolt announced today the hire of long-time coaching legend Keith Fulk to his staff.
 
Fulk will assume the role of associate head coach for the Bears with a projected start date of June 16. His hire is contingent upon formal approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next meeting.
 
His vast coaching experience encompasses all levels of soccer, from youth to national teams, and has netted multiple championships. His resume includes three NCAA Division II men's titles at Tampa (2001) and coaching the USA in four FIFA youth World Cups.
 
He has spent the last six years as the U17 head coach at IMG Academy in Florida where he previously served as head coach and director of boys programs from 2010-11.
 
"It is tremendous to bring someone of Keith's experience and expertise to Missouri State," said Seabolt. "The USA U-17 national team coaching experience, four youth World Cups, three national championships, and professional playing experience speak for themselves. 
 
"Keith is also a great recruiter with amazing connections. He helped create the US Development Academy which is now MLS Next. On the field, he will be able to positively impact the student-athletes as he is elite authority in the player development space. He will seamlessly support our on-field success as we have shared coaching philosophies. Most importantly Keith is a great person and now he is a Bear!"
 
In six years as the Saint Leo head coach from 2011 to 2017, Fulk resurrected a program that was previously among the bottom of the Sunshine State Conference standings. He led the Lions to the 2015 Sunshine State Conference regular season title while being named the SSC Coach of the Year, while the Lions earned four all-SSC honors. The Lions played in the NCAA South Region Semifinal and finished with a No. 20 ranking in the final NSCAA poll of 2015.
 
The Lions advanced to the 2014 SSC tournament semifinals and the third round of the NCAA Tournament under Fulk's direction. The team received a No. 13 ranking in the final NSCAA poll of 2014.  The 2013 Lions were 13-2-2 record and a perfect 7-0-1 record in conference play. They went on to defeat No. 1 ranked Rollins College to win the SSC Championship and reached the NCAA South Region Tournament for the first time since 2005.
 
Before Saint Leo Coach Fulk spent eight years with the United States Soccer Federation and participated in four U17 World Youth Championships. During this time he worked with three head coaches who currently excel in Major League Soccer and coached numerous players who currently play professionally overseas and domestically.
 
In 2002 Fulk left Tampa for a one-year coaching stint at West Virginia University before finding a home with U.S. Soccer.
 
In 2001, as the head coach, Fulk led the University of Tampa, to a 19-0-2 record, a No. 1 ranking during the season, and a Division II National Championship. Fulk was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Coach of the Year. As the UT head coach for six years, Fulk guided the Spartans to an 81-24-7 record, three SSC Championships and three NCAA Division II Tournament appearances in 1996, 1997 and 2001. In the Fall of 2014 he was inducted into the University of Tampa Hall of Fame.
 
Fulk also served as the top assistant coach at Tampa, where he helped guide the team to the 1994 Division II National Championship and two conference championships in 1994 and 1995.  It was also during his years as a Spartan that he was mentored by SSC Hall of Fame legends Tom Fitzgerald and Jay Miller, helping him to develop his playing and coaching abilities more extensively.
 
Holding his 'A' license from the United States Soccer Federation, the native of Myerstown, Pa. had an extensive playing career as well. Claiming a national championship in 1981 while playing for Tampa, Fulk was a four-year student-athlete for the Spartans until graduation in 1985. He earned his degree in Physical Science from Tampa in 1985 and then advanced to play professional indoor soccer with seven different MISL teams until 1992.  Also during that time, he was a participant in the World University Games (1985).
 
As a player, Fulk was a Parade All-American at Elco High School in Myerstown, Pa., and at the University of Tampa he was a four-time all-conference and all-region honoree.
 
Keith was inducted into the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame in 2008.
 
Fulk replaces Danny Frid who was announced in May as the new head coach at UNC Asheville after spending two and a half years at Missouri State.