Dec. 11, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - When Texas Tech head coach Tom Stone returns to Lubbock for the 2009 spring season, he will have some added gold to go with him as Stone and the Team USA Under-20 National Team recently claimed the FIFA U-20 World Cup, held in Santiago, Chile.

After advancing through the pool play portion of the event, the U.S. defeated Germany, 1-0, in the semifinals and then edged North Korea, 2-1, in the championship match.

The U.S. U-20 team had not previously played in the World Cup title match since 2002. The championship match against North Korea was held in front of a sellout crowd of over 12,000 fans and was also broadcast live nationally on ESPN2.

"It has been a terrific year for U.S. Women's Soccer with two gold medals and a silver (U-17 World Cup), and we are thrilled to have been a part of this team and this run to the championship," Stone said. "These players gave everything they had in pursuit of a world championship and they certainly earned this honor."

Stone, who served as an assistant coach for the squad, was offered the position last February after head coach Tony Dicicco took over the team. The squad advanced to the World Cup last summer after finishing second in the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in Mexico.

Stone rejoined the team following Tech's 2008 campaign that saw the Red Raiders return to the Big 12 Championship in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history.

"It was an incredible achievement to win a world championship for U.S. Soccer and to win it against such accomplished international teams," Stone said. "We played consistently at a very high level from the opening game on and beat two very good teams to take the gold. It was a great experience to be part of this coaching staff, and I was proud to represent the Red Raiders in a World Cup victory."

Tech begins spring practices in February and will be allowed to participate in exhibition matches on five days throughout the spring.