The University of Portland community is mourning today the loss of Clive Charles, whose dedicated commitment to students and soccer took the University to unprecedented heights. Charles had been battling with prostate cancer and died Tuesday in Portland. He was 51.

“We grieve for Clive’s family and his thousands of friends at the University and around the world who have lost a generous and sensitive friend,” said Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., the University’s senior vice president. “Clive’s life and work were gifts of extraordinary worth, and his impact as teacher and coach, friend and mentor, will be felt on The Bluff for many years to come.

“First, our thoughts and prayers are with Clive’s wife Clarena and their children Michael and Sarah,” said Athletic Director Joe Etzel. “What most of us will remember here at the University is the impact he has had on the players he coached and those fortunate enough to work with him over the years.”

Charles’ women’s soccer team reached the pinnacle of success last December when it claimed the first NCAA Division I title in school history, beating conference rival Santa Clara 2-1 in double overtime.

In June, Charles and the University’s national champion women’s soccer team were grand marshals of the 2003 Grand Floral Parade. Two months later, Charles was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame for a lifetime of achievement on the soccer field, the guidance he offered athletes, and the lasting influence he has had on the lives of University of Portland soccer players.

One such player was Jeff Gadawski, who played for and coached with Charles.

“He’s a teacher,” Gadawski noted in a recent feature story in The Oregonian. “Clive used the sport of soccer to teach life.”

Gadawski recalled a halftime talk Charles had with his players in 1988. It was the first time in the university’s history that the Pilots men’s team had reached the NCAA Final Four. They were clear underdogs to their opponent Indiana and went into the locker room tied 0-0.

The opposing coach screamed and shouted at the top of his lungs for 15 minutes in an adjacent locker room as Charles told his players to just sit and listen.

When the coach’s tirade was over, Charles looked at his players, according to Gadawski, and said, ‘Go out and keep doing what you’re doing. But most of all, have fun.’

The Pilots lost, according to Gadawski, but his message stayed with them.

Under his leadership, both Pilot men and women have gained national prominence. Collectively, these teams have won 13 conference championships and earned 20 NCAA playoff berths, including nine Final Four appearances in a combined 31 seasons. He has been named Far West Region Coach of the Year four times and WCC Coach of the Year seven times. Under Coach Charles’ leadership, 28 University of Portland athletes have attained all-America status. In the history of collegiate soccer, he is only the second coach to have two teams, in the same year, competing in the NCAA semifinals.

The women’s program has earned post-season berths in 10 of the last 11 seasons. The men’s team has made 10 NCAA appearances in the last 15 years, advancing to the semifinals in 1988 and 1995. His numerous achievements include an extensive list of national coaching experiences: the U.S. Men’s National Team assistant coach in 1995, named the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team coach in 1996 for the 2000 games, and head coach of the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team in from 1993 to 1996. Several of his players have gone on to win Olympic gold medals and World Cup titles for the United States.

Charles also has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s United Soccer Association.

Charles was born in London, England. He played soccer professionally for 17 years, including four years (1978-81) for the Portland Timbers of the North American Soccer League. He was a three-time NASL all-star and was named to the all-Time NASL Team.

Prior to coming to the University of Portland, he coached the boys’ soccer team at Reynolds High School in Troutdale. He has served as director of player development for the Oregon Youth Soccer Association and as coaching director of F.C. Portland.

The family is having a private service. The University plans to have a memorial service in the Earle A. and Virginia H. Chiles Center on Sept. 8. More information will be available at a later date.