Garden City, N.Y. - A 1974 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Champion at Adelphi, Charles O'Donnell passed away suddenly in his home in Leonia, N.J. at the age of 71 on Tuesday.
O'Donnell, a 2013 inductee of the Adelphi Athletics Hall of Fame, crossed over the pond from Derry, Northern Ireland to lead the Panthers to unprecedented success in the early-to-mid-1970's.
While he was most notably part of the school's first team to ever capture a national championship, O'Donnell's teams built up a 59-8-6 record from 1973-76, translating to an .849 winning percentage.
O'Donnell's teams were a model of consistency, under legendary head coach Mel Less. The Panthers were 16-game winners in three of O'Donnell's four years, including the celebrated 1974 campaign.
After winning the consolation final in 1973, O'Donnell took on more of the offensive load the following season. He scored twelve goals and contributed three assists as a sophomore in 1974. On the grandest stage, O'Donnell accounted for all three Adelphi goals in the team's 3-2 victory over Seattle Pacific University in the NCAA Division II National Championship.
O'Donnell's three goals in 1974 remain the most by any one player in the NCAA Division II national championship game.
To date, O'Donnell ranks third all-time at Adelphi in career goals (49) and points (124). His 61 points in 1975 remain the second-most by a Panther. That same year, O'Donnell was named a United Soccer Coaches Honorable Mention All-American.
O'Donnell graduated from Adelphi in 1979 with his bachelor's degree in Business Management. He is survived by his wife, Annie, and three children, Daniel, Trish and Declan.
Arrangements:
Visitation: Friday, April 29 - 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. -Â Frank Patti & Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home - 327 Main St, Fort Lee, N.J. 07024
Funeral Mass: Saturday, April 30 - 11 a.m. - St. John the Evangelist Church - 470 Broad Ave, Leonia, N.J. 07605Â
