Melville, N.Y. -  A 1994 inductee of the Adelphi Athletic Hall of Fame, former Adelphi Head Men's Soccer Coach Bob Montgomery has been named the first-ever recipient of the Long Island Soccer Paul LeSueur Ambassador of the Game Award.

Montgomery patrolled the sidelines for the Panthers for nearly 30 years (1978-2007) and later went on to become the Director of Player Development for the New York Red Bulls. He will be honored at the Long Island Soccer Player Hall of Fame Dinner at the Huntington Hilton in Melville this Saturday (Mar. 7) at 7 p.m.

The Paul LeSueur Ambassador of the Game Award is named after the late Long Island Soccer Executive Director to honor an outstanding member of the soccer community that has shown extraordinary sacrifice and leadership in the Long Island soccer community and beyond.

Montgomery's coaching resume at Adelphi included seven NCAA Tournament appearances and nine All-Americans, in addition to 42 All-Region selections. Two of those All-Americans have gained notoriety.

Mike Windischmann, who is also a 1994 inductee of the Adelphi Athletic Hall of Fame, captained the United States Men's National Team at the 1990 World Cup and is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Chris Armas, a 1994 alumnus of Adelphi, currently serves as the head coach of the New York Red Bulls -- a position he has held since 2018 -- and was widely considered the best midfielder in Major League Soccer during his era.

Montgomery was also twice recognized as the New York Region Coach of the Year and played for the 1972 and 1973 Adelphi men's soccer teams, both of which appeared in the NCAA Tournament. 

Montgomery earned his bachelor's degree from Adelphi in 1974 and a master's from the University in 1982. In addition to his coaching duties, he served as Associate Athletic Director, as well.

Meanwhile, Gary Sullivan, a player of Montgomery's from 2000-03, will join his former coach in recognition, as he is inducted to the Long Island Soccer Player Hall of Fame.

Sullivan was a staple on the back line for Adelphi's then-Division I program. He was a three-time NSCAA All-Region and All-Atlantic Soccer Conference honoree. Sullivan was selected 45th overall by the Colorado Rapids in the MLS SuperDraft in 2004 and left the team in 2005 to play with the Rough Riders of the USL Second Division, where he was named the USL-2 Defender of the Year in 2006.