Tom Saxton Position: Head Coach Experience: 19th Year

Entering his 19th season as head coach of the Michigan State women's soccer program, Tom Saxton has spent more than half of his life involved in Spartan soccer.

A life-long Spartan, Saxton earned three letters as a player before returning to campus in 1989 to assist legendary Spartan soccer coach Joe Baum with both the men's and the new women's program. Saxton was appointed the second head coach in the history of the women's program on June 1, 1991.

2008 saw Saxton lead MSU to one of its most successful seasons as the Spartans collected 14 wins - tying his career-high victory mark. Saxton also directed last season's squad to the NCAA Tournament for the third time since 2002, where the Spartans advanced to the second round.

In total, Saxton has guided 166 players to Academic All-Big Ten honors since women's soccer was incorporated into the Big Ten in 1994, the second-most of any school in the conference (need to confirm). He has also helped 30 players earn All-Big Ten honors, including MSU's first Conference Player of the Year, Karen Winslow in 1994, and 2008 Offensive Player of the Year, Laura Heyboer.

Heyboer joined Lauren Sinacola, Lauren Hill and Cara Freeman as All-Big Ten honorees in 2008, which tied the MSU record for the most all-conference recipients in a season. Heyboer's breakout freshman season also earned her several national honors as she became the first in MSU women's soccer history to garner NSCAA All-America and SoccerBuzz.com National Freshman of the Year accolades.

Saxton has helped the team transition seamlessly into the fabric of one of the toughest conferences in the NCAA, helping the Spartans to three NCAA Tournament appearances, 11 Big Ten Tournament trips and five winning conference seasons in the Big Ten's 15 years.

A two-time Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year, Saxton, earned his 150th victory in the opening-round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. It was MSU's first-ever NCAA Tournament win. Saxton's Spartans posted a 12-6-5 record in 2005, their sixth-straight season with double-digit wins, including a 6-2-2 mark in conference action, the team's best-ever Big Ten mark.

Saxton led Michigan State to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2002, guiding the Green and White to a 12-7-2 overall record, including a 5-3-2 mark in the Big Ten. Thanks to their fourth-place finish in the tough Big Ten, the Spartans earned an at-large bid to the tournament.

In 2000, Saxton coached MSU to a six-game improvement; the Spartans finished the season 12-6-2 and Saxton was named the Big Ten's Coach of the Year.

Saxton also won the Big Ten Coach of the Year Award in 1994, the conference's first season. That year, the Spartans finished with an overall mark of 12-5-2 and a 5-1-1 league record to take home the soccer program's only Big Ten Championship.

In all, Saxton has coached all 10 of the career leaders in goals and assists at Michigan State, serving as head coach during six of 10 of their careers. He also was a tutor for all five of the top goalkeepers in school history, serving as head coach during four of their careers.

Prior to his arrival at Michigan State, Saxton was the head men's soccer coach at Delta College for three seasons. Following the 1984 campaign he was recognized as the National Junior College Athletic Association's Region XII Coach of the Year.

Saxton also served two seasons as the head coach of the Flint Central High School girls' soccer team. He also directed the Flint Community School's Soccer League for four years. In addition, Saxton was a staff coach for Michigan Olympic Development State and Regional teams.

Saxton enjoyed success during his playing career at Michigan State under Baum, earning three letters (1980-82). During his career, Saxton led the team to a 33-16-2 overall record.

He graduated from MSU in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in social science. In 1991, he returned to earn a master's degree in physcial education and exercise science.

Entering the 2009 season, Saxton's career record stands at 179-152-30.

A member of the 1993 NCAA Tournament Selection Committe, Saxton owns a national USSF License. Saxton and his wife, Sue, have three sons, Noel (20), Nicholas (17) and Kellen (13).