Doyle Royal facts for kids
Royal at Maryland in 1949
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| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 29, 1919 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | September 29, 2020 (aged 101) |
| Playing career | |
| 1939–1943 | Maryland |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Soccer | |
| 1946–1973 | Maryland |
| Tennis | |
| 1954–1980 | Maryland |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 217–58–18 (soccer) 296–114–1 (tennis) |
| Tournaments | 12–12–1 (NCAA) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| Soccer: 1 NCAA Championship (1968) 17 ACC Championships (1953–1968, 1971) 3 Southern Conference Championships Tennis: 2 ACC Championships (1957, 1964) |
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Doyle P. Royal (born January 29, 1919 – died September 29, 2020) was an American coach. He was famous for coaching both soccer and tennis at the University of Maryland. He led the Maryland soccer team from 1946 to 1973. He also coached the tennis team from 1954 to 1980.
Contents
Early Life and College Days
Doyle Royal grew up in Washington, D.C.. His family did not have much money. In 1939, the tennis coach at the University of Maryland, Lesley Bopst, offered him a special chance. Doyle got a job and a room so he could go to college there.
While at Maryland, he played both tennis and soccer. Later, he served in the United States Army during World War II.
Coaching Success at Maryland
Doyle Royal became the very first men's soccer head coach for Maryland in 1946. He coached the team for 28 years, until 1973.
Soccer Achievements
Under Coach Royal, the soccer team had an amazing record. They won 217 games, lost 58, and tied 18. This means they won about 77% of their games! This winning percentage is the best ever for a Maryland soccer coach. He also has the second-highest number of wins for the team.
In 1968, Coach Royal led Maryland to a National Championship. They tied Michigan State 2-2 to share the national title. His teams also won 17 ACC championships. They won the conference title every year from 1953 to 1968. They won another title in 1971.
Tennis Achievements
Doyle Royal also coached the men's tennis team at Maryland. He was the tennis coach from 1954 to 1980. His tennis teams won 296 games, lost 114, and tied 1.
When you add up his wins from both soccer and tennis, he had 513 wins! This makes him the coach with the second-highest number of wins for two different sports at Maryland. Besides coaching, he also worked as an assistant dean for male students at the university.
In 1988, Doyle Royal was honored for his great work. He was put into the University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame.
Later Years and Passing
In 2019, Doyle Royal celebrated his 100th birthday in Bethesda, Maryland. At his party, he received a special 1968 men's soccer championship ring. The current Maryland soccer coach, Sascho Cirovski, gave it to him.
Doyle Royal passed away in September 2020. He was 101 years old.
