Randy Ragan
Encyclopedia
Randolph "Randy" Lee Ragan (born June 7, 1959 in High Prairie, Alberta) is a former Canadian
elite professional soccer player, who was considered one of the top midfield players in Canada in the 1980s.
where he played on the men's soccer team. In 1980, the Toronto Blizzard
of the North American Soccer League
drafted Ragan. He played for the Blizzard from 1980 to 1984, including one indoor NASL season. In 1987, he again played for the Blizzard in the Canadian Soccer League where he was a 1987 First Team All Star. In 1991, he spent one season with the North York Rockets
.
during its unsuccessful qualifaction campaign for the 1977 FIFA World Youth Championship
. He went on to play 40 times for the Canadian national team
. His first game was a 4-0 win over New Zealand on September 15, 1980. His last was a 1-0 loss to China
on August 31, 1986. His greatest achievement came when he played all three games for Canada during the 1986 FIFA World Cup
. Ragan also played nine games with the Canadian Olympic Team and was a member of the 1984 Olympic Canadian soccer team which went to the quarterfinals of the 1984 Olympic soccer tournament
.
In April 2002, Ragan was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame
.
and coaches the Guelph Royals 1994 Boys A team who play in the Western Ontario Youth Soccer League. In 2007, he served as an assistant with the University of Guelph
men's soccer team. On May 16, 2008, the university hired Ragan as the head coach of the Gryphons Women's team.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
elite professional soccer player, who was considered one of the top midfield players in Canada in the 1980s.
Professional
Ragan attended Simon Fraser UniversitySimon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University is a Canadian public research university in British Columbia with its main campus on Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, and satellite campuses in Vancouver and Surrey. The main campus in Burnaby, located from downtown Vancouver, was established in 1965 and has more than 34,000...
where he played on the men's soccer team. In 1980, the Toronto Blizzard
Toronto Blizzard (NASL)
The Toronto Blizzard were a professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that played in the North American Soccer League.-History:The Toronto Metros joined the NASL in 1971. Their home field was Varsity Stadium....
of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
drafted Ragan. He played for the Blizzard from 1980 to 1984, including one indoor NASL season. In 1987, he again played for the Blizzard in the Canadian Soccer League where he was a 1987 First Team All Star. In 1991, he spent one season with the North York Rockets
North York Rockets
The North York Rockets were a professional soccer team that competed in the original Canadian Soccer League during its existence from 1987 to 1992...
.
National team
In 1976, Ragan played for the Canada U-20 men's national soccer teamCanada U-20 men's national soccer team
Canada U-20 men's national soccer team, also known as Canada Under-20s or Canada U-20s, is the youth club for national soccer in Canada. It plays a large role in the development of Canadian soccer, and is considered to be the feeder team for the Canada men's national soccer team...
during its unsuccessful qualifaction campaign for the 1977 FIFA World Youth Championship
1977 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1977 FIFA World Youth Championship was the inaugural staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship and was held in Tunisia from June 27 to July 10, 1977. The tournament took place in four venues — Tunis, Rades, Sousse and Sfax — where a total of 28 matches were played, the smallest number in its...
. He went on to play 40 times for the Canadian national team
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
. His first game was a 4-0 win over New Zealand on September 15, 1980. His last was a 1-0 loss to China
China national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
on August 31, 1986. His greatest achievement came when he played all three games for Canada during the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
. Ragan also played nine games with the Canadian Olympic Team and was a member of the 1984 Olympic Canadian soccer team which went to the quarterfinals of the 1984 Olympic soccer tournament
Football at the 1984 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 1984 Summer Olympics started on July 29 and ended on August 11. It featured only a men's tournament, as women's football had yet to become an Olympic event. It was the first Olympic football competition in which professionals were allowed...
.
In April 2002, Ragan was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame
Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame
The Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in Vaughan, Ontario, was founded in 1997. It was incorporated by the Ontario Soccer Association. The Hall aims to celebrate and highlight the achievements of top Canadian Footballers and Builders who have played and developed the game in Canada...
.
Coach
He is now a contracts manager in GuelphGuelph
Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada.Guelph may also refer to:* Guelph , consisting of the City of Guelph, Ontario* Guelph , as the above* University of Guelph, in the same city...
and coaches the Guelph Royals 1994 Boys A team who play in the Western Ontario Youth Soccer League. In 2007, he served as an assistant with the University of Guelph
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
men's soccer team. On May 16, 2008, the university hired Ragan as the head coach of the Gryphons Women's team.