Men's Soccer | 12/11/2012 2:07:00 PM

ROCHESTER, NY -- Yuri Lavrynenko, Associate Head Men's Soccer Soccer Coach at RIT, was selected to the Section V Hall of Fame at the Section V Awards Banquet back on Nov. 28.

"I am extremely honored to be inducted into the Section V Soccer Hall of Fame," said Lavrynenko. "It is very humbling to join the ranks of previous Hall of Fame inductees that have devoted their lives to developing soccer in our area. I hope to continue to honor the game the same way many of these soccer coaching and playing legends have done before me."

After leading Gates-Chili High School to a New York State Championship in 1995, Lavrynenko helped Indiana University to two NCAA and four Big Ten championships from 1996-99. While at Indiana, he earned All-American, All Big Ten and Final Four MVP accolades.

Lavrynenko excelled in the classroom at Indiana University, earning Academic All Big Ten honors in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 as well as being inducted into the Alpha Beta academic fraternity. In 2004 Lavrynenko earned a master of business administration from RIT with a concentration in marketing and finance.

After college, Lavrynenko had a very successful professional career. Between 2000-2001 Lavrynenko played for the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer. He helped the Fire to the U.S. Open Cup championship in 2001. He played for three teams in MLS A-League from 2001-2004 including the Rochester Rhinos. He helped Montreal to the A-League championship in 2004.

In 2005 Lavrynenko founded “Yuri Lavrynenko Soccer” which specializes in academics, individual training, team sessions and camps and clinics for youth soccer players. In 2006 he earned his USSF “B” coaching license and earned his USSF “A” license in 2009.