Emory University head men's soccer coach Sonny Travis has resigned his position to become the athletic director at Coe College located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Travis spent the past 10 years patrolling the Eagles' sidelines, where he compiled an impressive won-lost slate of 122-47-14.  He guided the program to five NCAA D-III Tournament appearances and a pair of University Athletic Association (UAA) co-championships. He compiled winning records in each of his 10 campaigns, including a pair of school-record tying 16-win campaigns in 2007 and 2008.  Four of his teams ended ranked among the top 25, most recently in 2014 when that group was slotted 24^th after registering a 13-4-2 ledger. His 2008 squad ended the year ranked ninth nationally, the best showing in school history, after rolling to a 16-2-1 overall record that included a berth in the Round of 16 in the national tournament.

Travis coached four different Emory players to All-America honors – Patrick Carver (2007 and 2008), Marc Del Marmol (2008), Andrew Natalino (2010) and Matt Sherr (2014 and 2015) – while seeing his players accumulate 18 all-region awards and 52 all-conference honors. 

"It is a difficult decision to leave coaching men's soccer after 31 years as a head coach," said Travis.  "The position of Director of Athletics and Recreation at Coe College is an opportunity to build upon a long-standing tradition of athletics.  I am very impressed by the strong athletic program and quality academics at Coe, in the best tradition of NCAA Division III.  Moreover, Coe's new athletic and recreational facilities rank among the finest in the country.

"After 10 years at Emory University, I will remember the relationships developed with players, coaches, staff and the Emory community. I was fortunate to have the privilege to work with outstanding student-athletes and will treasure those memories.  Emory has many things in place to be successful.  I wish the team and soccer coaching staff all the best in moving forward."

A legend in the Division III coaching ranks whose career has spanned 31 years, Travis claims an all-time record of 416-139-51 with his win total the 17^th-most in D-III history, eighth among active Division III coaches and 37th-most all-time in all of collegiate soccer.  He earned his 400th career victory on September 23, 2015, when Emory defeated Sewanee, 1-0. Sonny came to the Eagles' program after an extremely successful 18-year stint (1989 through 2006) with the Virginia Wesleyan program. During his tenure, he established himself as the school's all-time winningest coach with a record of 270-74-31. His coaching career also includes a three-year stay at Centre College (1986-89).

Travis has previous experience as an athletic director, serving in that capacity at Virginia Wesleyan from 1999 through 2007.  

"We thank Sonny for all of his contributions to both the men's soccer program and the athletic department," stated Emory Athletic Director Dr. Michael Vienna.  "He is a true professional who dedicated himself to developing his student-athletes, both on and off the field.  Sonny enjoyed a great deal of success at Emory and, while he will certainly be missed, we are excited for him as he assumes his new role at Coe College."

Dr. Vienna stated that Cory Greiner, who has been on Travis's staff since 2013, will serve as Interim Head Coach for the 2017 season.