Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Men's Soccer Adds Sam Maira To Coaching Staff
August 26, 2021 | General, Men's Soccer
Princeton has added Sam Maira to its men's soccer coaching staff, head coach Jim Barlow announced ahead to the start of the 2021 season. Maira, who has spent the last 19 seasons as head coach at Seneca High School in New Jersey, will serve as goalkeepers coach with the Tigers.
Since taking over at Seneca in 2002, Maira guided the Golden Eagles to four Olympic Conference championships and the 2018 South Jersey title. From 1997-2002, Maira was head girls soccer coach at Shawnee High School where he won a South Jersey Soccer Coaches Tournament. From 1990-97, Maira was head boys soccer coach at Riverside High School where he won four league titles to go with two South Jersey championships, and a South-Central New Jersey title. A member of the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Mercer County Soccer Hall of Fame, Maira has been named Coach of The Year previously by the Burlington County Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier Post and NJ.com.
Maira has previous collegiate coaching experiences with stints as goalkeepers coach at William & Mary (1984-87) and Rider (1981-84).
"We are fortunate to add a coach of Sam's experience and talent to our program," said Barlow. "He is passionate about the sport and developing exceptional young men into quality soccer players. As a coach, educator and counselor, he has everything we are looking for from a coach at Princeton and he wil be a tremendous presence for not only our goalkeepers but everyone involved with Princeton Men's Soccer."
A 1980 graduate of Rutgers, Maira was a four-year letterwinner as a goalkeeper for the Scarlet Knights and captained the 1978 team. He was named to Rutgers' All-Time All-Star team which honored the top players from the 20th century in team history. As a high school keeper for Steinert High School, an All-State and All-County selection while helping Steinert win the 1975 state championship.
Since taking over at Seneca in 2002, Maira guided the Golden Eagles to four Olympic Conference championships and the 2018 South Jersey title. From 1997-2002, Maira was head girls soccer coach at Shawnee High School where he won a South Jersey Soccer Coaches Tournament. From 1990-97, Maira was head boys soccer coach at Riverside High School where he won four league titles to go with two South Jersey championships, and a South-Central New Jersey title. A member of the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Mercer County Soccer Hall of Fame, Maira has been named Coach of The Year previously by the Burlington County Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier Post and NJ.com.
Maira has previous collegiate coaching experiences with stints as goalkeepers coach at William & Mary (1984-87) and Rider (1981-84).
"We are fortunate to add a coach of Sam's experience and talent to our program," said Barlow. "He is passionate about the sport and developing exceptional young men into quality soccer players. As a coach, educator and counselor, he has everything we are looking for from a coach at Princeton and he wil be a tremendous presence for not only our goalkeepers but everyone involved with Princeton Men's Soccer."
A 1980 graduate of Rutgers, Maira was a four-year letterwinner as a goalkeeper for the Scarlet Knights and captained the 1978 team. He was named to Rutgers' All-Time All-Star team which honored the top players from the 20th century in team history. As a high school keeper for Steinert High School, an All-State and All-County selection while helping Steinert win the 1975 state championship.
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