Arron Lujan Named Head Men’s Soccer Coach

Apr. 4 – (PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – Carnegie Mellon University’s Director of Athletics, Susan Bassett, has named Arron Lujan the new head men’s soccer coach.  Lujan joins the Tartans’ staff after serving three years as an assistant coach for the men’s program at Princeton University.  Lujan succeeds longtime coach Nick Gaudioso, who retired earlier this year.

“Arron Lujan will provide excellent leadership for our men’s soccer program.  Arron emerged from a very competitive search process as our choice from a group of exceptional applicants,” comments Bassett. “His credentials are impressive and his background is unique having played on the professional level after a collegiate career in NCAA Division III.  Arron is well prepared to lead our men’s soccer program.  He will be a wonderful addition to our athletics department and the University community.”

Throughout his three year tenure at Princeton, the Tigers had thirteen players honored as All-Ivy members with four players named All-Region.  Lujan was responsible in assisting in recruiting, game management, training sessions, planning alumni events, fundraising, team travel arrangements, and contributing to the direction of the program.

“I am extremely excited to join the Carnegie Mellon athletic department, and the men’s soccer program,” added Lujan.  “I am honored to be selected as the one who follows Coach Gaudioso, who has built an excellent program with a storied history.  I am looking forward to working with a great group of student-athletes.”  

Prior to his stint at Princeton he served as an assistant coach for Division III Virginia Wesleyan for two years and helped lead the Marlins to a second-round appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2003. In 2002, Lujan served as a Virginia ODP District Coach and was responsible for recognizing and developing players. Lujan was also the head coach of the Beach FC Hurricanes Under-17 Boys Premier team in 2004.

A native of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Lujan is a 1994 graduate of Colorado College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama.  He received a Master of Science degree in recreation, parks and sport leadership in 2007 from Virginia Commonwealth University.  As a player for Colorado College, Lujan finished his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 200 points (69 goals, 62 assists). He was first team All-America in 1994, and received the college’s Van Diest Award for achievement in citizenship, leadership, and athletics.

While an undergraduate Lujan won back-to-back amateur national championships in 1994 and 1995 with the Denver Kickers.  Following his undergraduate work he played seven years of professional soccer, playing for the Colorado Foxes, Hampton Roads Mariners, Boston Bulldogs, and El Paso Patriots.