Men's soccer hires new coach, Arron Lujan

Carnegie Mellon’s director of athletics, Susan Bassett, has appointed the new head men’s soccer coach, Arron Lujan, to take over the position from Nick Gaudioso, who coached the Tartans for 27 years. Lujan comes from the men’s program at Princeton University, serving as the team’s assistant coach for three years.

“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,” Bassett said. “His credentials are impressive and his background is unique, having played on the professional level after a collegiate career in NCAA Division III.”

Under the leadership of Lujan, 13 Princeton players received All-Ivy honors, with four named to the All-Region team. Prior to his position with the Tigers, he was the assistant coach the Virginia Wesleyan College team for two years, leading the program to a second-round appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2003. With experience at the collegiate level, he took coaching positions for the Virginia Olympic Development Program (ODP) and Beach FC Hurricanes Under-17 boys’ premier team.

“I am extremely excited to join the Carnegie Mellon athletic department, and the men’s soccer program,” Lujan said. “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.”

Lujan graduated from Colorado College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama in 1994 and received a Master of Science degree in recreation, parks, and sport leadership in 2007 from the Virginia Commonwealth University. Lujan concluded his athletic career at Colorado College as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 200 points (69 goals, 62 assists) and the first team All-American in 1994. In addition, Lujan won the amateur national championships in 1994 and 1995 with the Denver Kickers while still an undergraduate student. He then went off to play seven years of professional soccer, representing the Colorado Foxes, Hampton Roads Mariners, Boston Bulldogs, and El Paso Patriots.

Arron Lujan will conclude the spring season with the Princeton program and commence his Carnegie Mellon career in July.
“Arron is well prepared to lead our men’s soccer program,” Bassett said. “He will be a wonderful addition to our athletics department and the university community.”