Bio

Chris McHugh enters his third year on the sideline as head coach of Emmaus Men's Soccer in 2023. 

• NCCAA DII National Champion - 2012 & 2013
• NCCAA DII National Coach of the Year - 2012
• NCCAA DII Regional Coach of the Year - 2012, 2013, 2015

Why play Emmaus Soccer?

Playing soccer at Emmaus is a once in a lifetime opportunity!  Competing alongside brothers in Christ, striving for a common goal, and asking God to lead us on that journey is an awesome experience.  We get to weave together faith and our competitive spirit, and each season the Lord shows his love for us in new ways!  Myself and our team are changed as we humbly follow Him. 

Why are you coaching at Emmaus?

It is a gift to coach at Emmaus!  I love teaching, coaching, mentoring and discipling our student-athletes.  I love that athletics are goal-oriented and unpredictable, and that the ups and downs of a soccer season stir the emotions in myself and our team. 

On that rollercoaster each season, God meets us and uses the teammates and coaches here to point one another toward Christ. 

What is a meaningful Bible verse to you?

John 17:3 – “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

In the gospel of John, Jesus' words give me a better understanding of eternal life.  Jesus says that eternal life is experienced when I personally respond to God’s love by coming to the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.  This verse makes me understand that experiencing eternal life starts now, as I pray, worship, and listening to God through his Word and through using my gifts in athletics to glorify Him. 

Coaching Experience:

• Head Coach:
  • Emmaus Bible College, 2021-Current (2 years)
  • Moody Bible Institute, 2012-2017 (6 years)
• Assistant Coach:
  • Christopher Newport University, 2018-19 (1 year)
  • Montclair State University, 2004-05 (2 years)

Coaching Highlights:

• NCCAA DII National Coach of the Year – 2012
• NCCAA DII Regional Coach of the Year – 2012, 2013, 2015

Team Highlights:

• 2012 NCCAA DII National Champions – National Ranking #1
• 2013 NCCAA DII National Champions – National Ranking #1
• 2014 NCCAA DII – National Ranking #3
• 2014 NSCAA Team Academic Award
• 2015 NCCAA DII National Finalist – National Ranking #2
• 2016 NCCAA DII – National Ranking #9

Player Highlights:

• NCCAA DII National Player of the Year – 2012 and 2014
• NCCAA Kyle Rote Jr. Award (Athletic Excellence and Christian Testimony) – 2012 and 2014
• 12 – NCCAA DII 1 st Team All-Americans
• 6 – NCCAA DII 2 nd Team All-Americans
• 13 – NCCAA DII Scholar Athletes

2022:

• MCCC - 3rd place regular season and tournament finish
• North All-Region
  • 1st team - Josh Matte, sophomore
• MCCC All-Conference
  • 1st team - Josh Matte, sophomore
  • 1st team - Uredi Mulinga, freshmen
  • 2nd team - James Baker, sophomore
  • Honrable Meniton - Zach Ort, junior

2021:

• Emmaus Men's Soccer program relaunches after not competing during the 2020 season
• North All-Region
  • 1st team - Josh Matte, freshmen
• MCCC All-Conference
  • 2nd team - Josh Matte, freshmen
  • Honrable Meniton - Zach Ort, sophomore

2020:

Emmaus Bible College is pleased to announce that as of January 2020, Athletic Director, Chris McHugh, will be joining the Eagles coaching staff, as head coach of the men's soccer program.

McHugh who joined the Emmaus Athletic Department in May 2019, becomes the fifth head coach in program history, and will begin preparations for the Eagles' 2020 season immediately.

"We are thankful to be adding Coach McHugh to our roster of coaches," stated Israel Chavez, Vice President and Dean for Student Life. "Coach Brown and Coach Block developed a positive team culture, focused on holistic player development and keeping Christ at the center of their program. It was important that the next head soccer coach have the desire and ability to continue this legacy. Chris has demonstrated the qualities needed, a commitment to the student-athlete experience, and a commitment to the institutional mission, goals, and values, making him the perfect fit. We are confident that Coach McHugh is the right person to lead Emmaus Men's Soccer into the future."

"I would like to thank President Boom and Dean Chavez for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead the men's soccer program at Emmaus," said McHugh. "My family and I have appreciated the warm welcome from the Emmaus Family this year, and we have enjoyed exploring all that Dubuque has to offer. I look forward to leading this program, and I am motivated to create an outstanding, biblically-integrated experience for our soccer players, and for all of our student-athletes."

McHugh brings a pedigree of success at the NCCAA DII level, and a sports ministry mindset to the Eagles soccer program. McHugh, who was head men's soccer coach at Moody Bible Institute and professor of sports ministry and lifetime fitness from 2012-2018, led the Moody Archers to back-to- back titles at the NCCAA DII National Championships in 2012 and 2013.

In all, McHugh's squads qualified for the national tournament in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. His teams won four NCCAA Reginal Championships, while taking 3 rd place and 2 nd place at the national tournament in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

"My vision for the Emmaus soccer program is that our young men will know Jesus Christ more intimately, and take a posture of humility, as we commit to pursuing common goals. Emmaus Bible College is a transformational environment, rooted in the Bible, where students learn to impact the world for Christ. In both our trials and successes, we will worship Jesus Christ as Lord; Lord of our lives and of this program," shared McHugh.

"Our soccer program will work to develop and attract top student-athletes, who are committed to maximizing their God-given abilities, while learning to compete with intensity and a Spirit-led focus. As we pursue this end, my prayer is that our skills would be sharpened, our love for others would be evident, and that God would be glorified," stated McHugh.

Over 17 years of coaching, McHugh has 11-years of head coaching experience at the men's collegiate and high school boys' varsity levels. Additionally, he has been an assistant coach on staff with two nationally prominent NCAA Division III programs at Montclair State University (NJ) and Christopher Newport University (VA).

His passion for discipleship and sports ministry have inspired his teams to conduct outreach soccer clinics for the community, and motivated his work with Christ-centered sports camps. He has served internationally with Sports Across Ireland outside of Dublin, and has welcomed team chaplains on his staff to care for the personal and spiritual needs of his players.

McHugh is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Sport Management, and of Montclair State University with a master's degree and teaching certification in Physical Education and Health. McHugh holds professional certificates through the United Soccer Coaches organization with an Advanced National Diploma and Goalkeeping I and II Diplomas. Additionally, he holds the USSF "D" coaching license.

McHugh is married to his wife, Sara, and they reside in Dubuque with their two young daughters, Emsley and Adelaide.

Please join us in officially welcoming Coach McHugh onto the Eagles coaching staff.