Karen Richter begins her first year as head coach at Auburn University after six successful seasons as head coach at the University of Central Florida from 1993-1998. Richter will have a challenging task at Auburn of rebuilding a program that suffered through its worst season in program history a year ago.

A former standout goalkeeper at Central Florida, Richter led the Golden Knights to five Trans America Athletic Conference titles and a trip to the 1998 NCAA Tournament. All told, Richter spent 12 years at UCF; as a student-athlete, assistant coach, and head coach.

Richter File Full Name Karen I. Richter Birthdate November 1, 1969 Education Central Florida (1991) Overall Record 64-44-9, .585 (six years) Playing Experience College Central Florida, Goalkeeper, 1987-90 Semi-Professional Tampa Bay Extreme, USISL, 1997-98 Coaching Experience Auburn, Head Coach present Central Florida, Head Coach 1993-99 Central Florida, Ass't Coach 1991-93 Lake Brantley (Fla.) H.S., Assistant Boys 1991-93 Lyman (Fla.) H.S., Assistant Girls 1989-91 National Team Coaching Experience U.S. Under 16 National Team 1999 Coaching Accomplishments NCAA Tournament Berth 1998 TAAC Titles (5) 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998 TAAC Coach of the Year 1998 Athletic Accomplishments NCAA Goalkeeper of the Year 1990 NCAA Goalkeeper of the Year 1990 Hermann Award Finalist 1990 Honda Award Finalist 1990 NCAA Scholar-Athlete 1989, 1990 Central Florida Most Valuable Player 1989, 1990 All-Southeast Region 1989, 1990

Richter posted a 64-44-9 record at UCF, winning five TAAC titles including four in a row from 1993-96. In her final season at UCF, Richter guided the squad to a 12-8 mark and a perfect 4-0 in the Trans America Athletic Conference en route to the school's first NCAA Tournament berth since 1991. For her efforts, Richter was named TAAC Coach of the Year.

Annually, Richter coached student-athletes were recognized for their efforts on the field and in the classroom. Over 30 of Richter's former players have earned all-conference and academic all-conference honors. Five players have been earned all-Southeast honors and in one received All-America honors in 1996.

Recognized nationally as one of the up and coming collegiate coaches, Richter was named this summer the assistant coach for the Under 16 National Team that participated in the U.S. Soccer Festival in Portland, Ore.

Richter is also very involved in Olympic Development Program and various youth soccer programs in the United States. That selection came on the heals of her February appointment as the goalkeeper coach for the United States Youth Soccer Association National teams. Her duties with the USYSA National teams include preparing youth goalkeepers for international competition and assisting the team during the Adidas Cup in Orlando, Fla. From 1990 to the present, Richter is the head goalkeeper coach and regional staff coach for the U.S. Region II ODP.

A holder of a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) "A" coaching license, she has served on the coaching staff of the Florida Youth Soccer Association since 1990. In 1997 she was the head coach of the Florida Women's State Select team that won the Southern Regional.

Prior to becoming the head coach at Central Florida, Richter was an assistant for the Golden Knights for two seasons, 1991-93, and also served as an assistant for the nearby Lake Brantley High School boy's team during that same time. Richter also served as an assistant for the girl's team at Lyman High School in Longwood, Fla., for two year (1989-91). The Lyman team won the state championship in Richter's second year.

Richter's success at Central Florida wasn't limited to the sidelines, however. Richter made a name for herself as a one of the greatest goalkeepers in UCF and NCAA history. A three year starter from 1987-90, Richter allowed just 30 goals (0.594) in 48 career games in assisting her squads to a 43-13-7 during her tenure. During her four years Central Florida made two NCAA appearances, advancing to the Final Four in 1987 and the quarterfinals in 1988. Her 30 goals allowed, 0.594 goals against average, and 30.5 shutouts are still UCF career records.

As a senior, Richter was named the 1990 Adidas/ISAA Goalkeeper of the Year, the NCAA Goalkeeper of the Year and was a finalist for the Hermann Award. She helped UCF to a 9-4-3 record, including a 2-2 tie with national power North Carolina.

As a junior, Richter was named to the 1989 Soccer America MVP Team after leading the Central Florida to a 11-1-2 record. In 14 games, her team posted 11 shutouts and allowed just four goals all season.

An excellent student as well, Richter graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in psychology, a 3.7 grade point average, and was a finalist as a senior for the prestigious Honda Award. She was also recognized as an Adidas/ISAA Scholar Athlete during as a junior and senior.

During her collegiate career Richter was inducted into several national honor societies including Golden Key, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Psi Chi. She also served on the 1991 College Student-Athlete Project: Women and Athletics Sub-Committee.

A three-sport standout at Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Ill., Richter earned All-America soccer honors and was a member of the National Youth Team in 1996. The Naperville native was also a member of the United States Olympic Festival's North squad in both 1987 and 1990. Along with her soccer success, Richter also competed on the softball and basketball squads and was captain of her basketball team as a senior.

In 1997 Richter returned to the field as a player, as a member of the Tampa Bay Extreme, a member of the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues (USISL) "W League." For two seasons, Richter was the starting goalkeeper for the Extreme.

Richter is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and served as a volunteer club coach with the Seminole Soccer Club for five years (1989-93). She was a member of the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee (1995-97) and also served on the NSCAA Division I Women's Soccer Southeast Ratings Board (1996-98).