Drew University Athletics

Born in Guatemala, Marvin Lopez moved with his family to Madison, N.J., when he was 14. A talented soccer player at Madison High School, he was recruited by Drew, where he majored in Spanish literature and minored in business management. “I felt it was the right place for me,” recalls Lopez. “I wanted to be a student and not just a number.”

In his four years at Drew, Lopez played in 77 soccer games under Head Coach Lenny Armuth. Lopez was one of only six players in Drew men’s soccer history to that point to earn All-American honors. Lopez is also one of just two players in school history to earn First Team All-Freedom Conference honors all four years.

With 68 career goals and 152 career points, Lopez ranks second in Drew history in both categories. For number of goals in a season, Lopez’s 20 goals in 1995 place him 6^th in school history, and his 19 goals in 1998 place him in a tie for 7th. He also is tied – with himself – for 7^th highest points in a season, with 43 in both 1995 and 1998.

Lopez helped the Rangers capture the 1998 Middle Atlantic Conference Championship and earn a berth in the 1998 NCAA Division III National Tournament. He was the 1998 Freedom Conference Most Valuable Player. “The last year we had a lot to accomplish and we had a goal,” remembers Lopez. “It was an incredible experience.”

Lopez’s experience at Drew had a “tremendous impact” on his life. The opportunity to meet people from all over the world, the soccer team trip to Ireland and his study abroad experience in Spain all prepared him for the real world. His relationship with Coach Armuth was also a very influential one, as the coach “went the extra mile to connect with each player. He was patient with us and very supportive at all levels.”