SNHU, MLS Announce Exclusive Education Partnership
SNHU Athletics
MANCHESTER, N.H. – Southern New Hampshire University and Major League Soccer recently announced a multi-year partnership making SNHU the league's exclusive education partner, an arrangement that is the first of its kind for MLS.
"We are excited to partner with an organization that shares our passion for providing accessible, affordable, high-quality education," said SNHU President Dr. Paul LeBlanc. "Partnering with MLS will allow us to meet students where they are and show them that higher education is within their reach."
Through the partnership, SNHU will empower MLS players to pursue their higher-education degrees, while MLS will provide exclusive learning opportunities and experiences to current SNHU students. The university will partner with MLS to reach and support students that require innovative education options.
SNHU will provide educational scholarships for MLS players and staff throughout the partnership, particularly for players looking towards career options after retirement. Current SNHU students will benefit from engaging with key MLS officials through coursework integration and league-based internships. The agreement also includes several community-based initiatives aimed at supporting youth programs, local charities and the military.
SNHU, which is one of the nation's top collegiate soccer programs at the NCAA Division II level, has won a pair of national championships, with the most recent coming in 2013. Several former Penmen student-athletes have gone on to play or work in MLS.
Freddie Butler was selected in the second round of the inaugural 1996 MLS Draft and played with the San Jose Clash and Columbus Crew. Preston Burpo spent time as a goalkeeper with Chivas USA, the Colorado Rapids and New England Revolution and has served as a goalkeeper coach for the Montreal Impact and D.C. United. Pierre Omanga, the 2013 NSCAA Division II Player of the Year, was drafted by the New England Revolution in 2014, while Chris Tsonis (pictured) is currently a member of the New York Red Bulls organization as a member of Red Bulls II that plays in the USL.
John Guppy, a member of SNHU's first national championship team in 1989 and a two-time All-American, worked in MLS as president and CEO of the Chicago Fire as well as with MetroStars. Marc de Grandpre, a former hockey and baseball player at SNHU, currently serves as general manager for the Red Bulls. Finally, MLS veteran Khano Smith, who played in 100 games with the Revolution, recently joined the Penmen men's soccer coaching staff.