Heidelberg Athletics Hall of Fame
From an early age, Des Lawless knew the sport of soccer would impact his life.
Lawless' career as Heidelberg women's soccer coach sits among the great coaching legacies in university history. While the women's soccer program was still in its infancy, he set the standard for excellence.
Lawless attended West Sussex Institute on Higher Education in Sussex, England, where he would graduate with honors. Upon graduation with a degree in education with an emphasis in sports science and physical education, Lawless traveled to the Bahamas to pursue a teaching career. While teaching under the sun, he was selected to play for the Bahamas Olympic Soccer team at the Central American and Caribbean Games held in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
After five years in the Bahamas, Lawless returned home to England, only to leave once more, bound for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the head position at the British International School. While coaching, Lawless developed contacts in the U.S. and decided to pursue a master's degree at the University of Wisconsin - Stout after three years in Ethiopia. Upon graduation, Lawless was contacted by then third-year head men's soccer coach Brian Haley and Athletic Director John Hill. With the Heidelberg women coming off of their first OAC championship season in 1990, Lawless enthusiastically signed on.
In his tenure, Lawless and the Heidelberg women claimed four OAC regular-season championships, five OAC tournament titles and made two NCAA Tournament appearances. He coached 16 All-OAC performers, four academic All-OAC selections, nine All-Americans and seven All-Ohio performers. Lawless mentored three OAC Player of the Year award winners, two Clyde Lamb Award recipients and one NCAA Woman of the Year honoree in Lynne Kraemer.
Lawless owns a career record of 106-30-2 and an astonishing OAC record of 56-7-0 in his seven years. His OAC winning percentage stands at .889 while his overall winning percentage rests at .775, making him one of the winningest Heidelberg coaches of all time. Lawless capped off his career with two consecutive OAC Coach of the Year honors in 1994 and 1995 and an Ohio Coach of the Year selection in '95.
