WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Acadia University's Department of Athletics announced today the retirement of long-time Axemen soccer head coach, Findlay MacRae.

MacRae, the first head coach of the Axemen soccer team after the program's return to Acadia in 2006, will continue his work in the soccer community as the Technical Director of the Valley United Soccer Club. MacRae was appointed to this position in June of 2022.

"This has been a big part of my life and it has been a privilege to coach Acadia and work with so many players in developing the program. I wish Amit and the team the very best for the future," said MacRae.

In 2015 and 2016, MacRae was named the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Coach of the Year. Additionally, in 2016, MacRae was also recognized as the national U SPORTS Coach of the Year after posting the Axemen's best record of 9-1-2 under his leadership.

In 2019, the men's and women's soccer program merged under the direction of full-time Head Soccer Coach, Amit Batra, who took on overall management and recruitment of both teams and MacRae continued as the Associate Head Coach of the men's program.

"I'm very grateful for the experience of working with Findlay for over a decade. I learned a lot working alongside him on game and player management and I found it truly special that both the men's and women's programs were able to reach significant milestones in the same years. Most notably, achieving our first of many consecutive playoff berths in 2013, which was followed by both programs reaching nationals together in 2016," said Batra.

MacRae is described by many as a builder whose expertise, experience, passion, and commitment brought the program back to prominence.

"We're going to miss the positive influence he has had on a young men's program that has a bright future.  He is leaving a legacy and foundation from which we are going to achieve greater heights in the years to come. I look forward to continuing to work with Findlay in his role as the Technical Director of Valley United and I am excited for the future development of the young players we have in the region who will benefit from his guidance and knowledge," noted Batra.

The Axemen program will miss the experience MacRae offered as a former player, coach, and club builder over the last 30 years.

"In my short time working with Findlay, it was easy to see how much he cared for the Acadia Men's Soccer program and especially how much he cared about his student-athletes. For more than a decade he has given his time to rebuilding the Axemen soccer program and has left a tremendous foundation for which we can build on. We wish him well in his new role with Valley United and thank him for the incredible impact he has had on his student-athletes," added Acadia Athletics Director, Brian Finniss.

The Axemen's 2023 regular season begins at home on Friday, September 1 at 7:15 pm versus the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies.