PORTLAND, Ore., After coaching a mere 497 soccer matches for the Warner Pacific College men's soccer team, long-time coach Bernie Fagan is retiring.
 
For as long as anyone can remember, men's soccer at Warner Pacific College was synonymous with Coach Bernie Fagan. Well known for his own time on the field, Fagan played for the Seattle Sounders, Los Angeles Aztecs, Detroit Lighting (indoor soccer), and finally the Portland Timbers until they folded in 1982.
 
The 1982 fall season was Fagan's first at Warner Pacific. He coached the Knights to 11 wins and earned the NAIA District 2 Championship that year. During those heady times of the early 80's, the Knights qualified for the NAIA National Tournament three times, including a best ever third place finish in 1984.
 
The first half of Fagan's coaching career with Warner Pacific ended after 10 seasons when the College eliminated all athletic programs in 1991.
 
Fagan continued to be involved in the Portland soccer scene. His summer camps, Fred Meyer Soccer Camps – a joint endeavor with University of Portland coach Clive Charles, thrived. He also became the head coach of the women's program at Portland State University, a post he held for four seasons (1993-96).
 
With the sport rapidly growing in Portland, Fagan formed his own youth club in 1997 – Oregon Soccer Academy.  He was also involved with Special Olympics as the Director of Soccer for Oregon in 1989, and served as the National Director of Soccer for more than a decade.
 
A phone call in 1997 from the new President of Warner Pacific College, Dr. Jay Barber, started the second half of Fagan's coaching career with Warner Pacific.
 
With the soccer program dormant for eight years, Fagan was starting over. His scholarship budget was nearly non-existent and young soccer players no longer recognized the name of Warner Pacific. The task ahead seemed daunting, even for a veteran coach.
 
Fagan slowly improved the competitiveness of the program while guiding the team into a full Cascade Conference schedule. Since joining the CCC in 2000, the Knights are 95-85-12 in league play with one conference championship earned in 2009.
 
Coach Fagan's total win/loss record with the Knights is 264-195-38.
 
Now, the season has come to a close both for the Knights and Coach Fagan after 26 years of coaching. The Knights will take to the field next fall with a new coach but Fagan's legacy will live on with the players and the athletic team at Warner Pacific.
 
When asked about his legacy at Warner Pacific and in the soccer community in Portland, Fagan humbly says, "It's been a good ride." Fagan goes on to say, "When you think about all the student-athletes I've coached; there are some fantastic young men that have attended Warner Pacific. Coaching players who get the most out of their ability, excel in their studies, and go on to successful careers – that is the rewarding part."
 
Summarizing a 26-year long career can be a challenge, however Warner Pacific Athletic Director Jamie Joss says of Coach Fagan: "I can confidently say we will continue to see the benefits of his dedication to the Warner Pacific men's soccer program. Bernie has a deep respect for his student-athletes, opposing players, and coaches as well as the youth in the Portland community." The lasting friendships and depth of Coach Fagan's impact is already evident with the overwhelming commitments of former players to return to Portland from all over the country and overseas to celebrate Bernie's accomplishments with an alumni game/retirement party in the spring of 2015. 
 
With 13 men's and women's varsity sports, Warner Pacific's nationally recognized athletic programs are competitive and designed to build champions in Christ, classroom, community, and competition. Warner Pacific is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and competes in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
   
Warner Pacific College is a private, Christ-centered college of 1,400 undergraduates and graduate students in Portland, Ore. Warner Pacific was recognized as a top college and best academic value in the west according to the 2015 U.S. News and World Report. Established in 1937 by the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.), Warner Pacific offers 29 undergraduate majors and 5 graduate programs in business, education, ministry and music at 6 campuses across the Portland metropolitan area and online. Warner Pacific provides all students with a welcoming and inclusive space to dream, achieve, and flourish. Learn more at www.warnerpacific.edu.