BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. Men's soccer volunteer assistant coach and First Lieutenant in the United States Army Andrew McClain has been deployed to Eastern Europe.
 
McClain, a veteran soccer coach who joined the Gardner-Webb staff in January, also spent three seasons at his alma mater, the University of Pikeville in addition to time on the men's soccer staff at Brevard College.
 
It was at Brevard that McClain worked with current Gardner-Webb assistant Bradley Morrison, and later, the two would be reunited on the Runnin' Bulldogs' staff.
 
"I worked with Bradley (Morrison) at Brevard before coming to Gardner-Webb," said McClain. "Coaching at Gardner-Webb truly means being a family and not just coworkers. I was drawn to GWU because of the staff and the campus. Head coach Tony Setzer has been nothing but professional and has always treated me with the utmost respect. The professionalism shown by the staff and players is second to none."
 
In the Army, McClain serves as a Field Artillery Platoon Leader and will be deploying to Eastern Europe in support of the United States' NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allies.
 
"We're incredibly proud of Coach McClain for his willingness to go and serve our country," said Setzer. "While we are sad that he will miss the 2018 season, we cannot express our gratitude enough for his service. He will be in our prayers, and we look forward to having him back on the sidelines for the 2019 season."

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