COLORADO RAPIDS NAME LORNE DONALDSON AS NEW ASSISTANT COACH

Popular, Local Club Coach First New Assistant Coach Named

DENVER (Monday, January 29, 2001) - The Colorado Rapids today named director of coaching for the Douglas County Soccer Association Lorne Donaldson as a new assistant coach of the Colorado Rapids.

Donaldson, 45, has worked as the director of coaching for the Douglas County Soccer Association (known as Real Colorado on the competitive level and Blast on the recreational level) for three years.

"We are happy to have Lorne come on-board with the Rapids as an assistant coach" said general manager Dan Counce. "Lorne has been involved with the team in one way or another for some time now and Tim (Hankinson) and the Rapids like the fit. Lorne is also well-known in the soccer community and it is a great opportunity to be able to tap into his talents."

Donaldson will assist with the day-to-day training of the team and will still retain his position as director of coaching for the Douglas County Soccer Association.

"I've known Lorne for a number of years dating back to his time with the Foxes," said head coach Tim Hankinson. "He has proven his ability to bring out the best in players, especially young players, and he will be a good addition to our staff."

"I am glad to be a part of the Rapids. I think it is very good for the sport here in Colorado. Tim and I are both offensive-minded and like to see the game played with flair," said Donaldson. "I know the community and the country and now that I am in an official capacity with the Rapids it gives me a freedom and flexibility in helping develop and improve the team."

Before becoming director of coaching for DCSA, Donaldson was the head coach of the now-defunct Colorado Foxes of the A-League. Donaldson led the Foxes to back-to-back A-League Championships in 1992 and 1993 and was named Coach of the Year in 1996. His work with the Foxes also included developing young players such as Ross Paule and Joey DiGiamarino both of which later went on to start for the Colorado Rapids.

Donaldson has over 20 years of coaching and playing experience at the International, Professional and Collegiate levels. He graduated from Metropolitan State College with a Bachelors of Arts, Physical Education and Sports Medicine in 1985. Donaldson holds a NSCAA Advanced National License and a Brazilian coaching license.

Donaldson is married to Judith and has two children; Yaneash, 17, and Julian, 14.

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