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#UAPBSoccer:UAPB NAMES FRED LOCARIO HEAD COACH OF WOMEN’S SOCCER

6/17/2026 1:30:00 PM

New coach. New era. Welcome to Pine Bluff, Coach Locario

PINE BLUFF, AR. — The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Athletics Department is proud to announce the appointment of Fred Locario as the new Head Coach of Women's Soccer. Locario arrives in Pine Bluff with an extensive and decorated coaching résumé spanning more than 30 years, a deep commitment to youth development, and a clear vision for elevating the Golden Lions to the top of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Locario to the UAPB family," said Chris Robinson, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics. "His track record of building winning programs, his passion for student-athlete success, and his proven ability to develop talent at every level make him the ideal leader for our women's soccer program. We are confident he will bring a new level of energy and excellence to Golden Lions soccer."

A Coaching Career Rooted in Excellence
Locario launched his coaching career in 1996 as the women's goalkeeper coach at Howard University, one of the nation's premier historically Black colleges and universities. From there, he built a diverse and accomplished portfolio of experience across collegiate, high school, and youth levels coaching both soccer and basketball in a career defined by versatility and impact.

His community-oriented spirit was evident early in his career through his dedicated work with DC Scores. This nationally recognized nonprofit organization combines soccer, poetry, and service-learning to empower thousands of at-risk youth. The program inspires children to lead healthy lives and become engaged community leaders values that continue to define Locario's coaching philosophy today.

Collegiate Success at Trinity College
Locario's collegiate coaching career reached new heights at Trinity College in Washington, D.C., where he quickly transformed the Lady Tigers program into a conference contender. In just his second season at the helm, Locario guided Trinity to the conference finals for the first time in school history a milestone achievement that signaled his ability to produce results rapidly at the collegiate level.

Under his continued leadership, the Lady Tigers posted their highest win totals in program history, produced multiple All-Conference selections, and earned Locario the distinguished AWCC Coach of the Year award, one of the most prestigious honors in women's collegiate soccer coaching.

Community Impact in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area
Prior to his arrival at UAPB, Locario made a significant mark on the youth of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex as the founder of Lil' Kickers DFW, a non-competitive child development program based in Mansfield, Texas. The innovative program uses soccer as a primary vehicle to teach fundamental life skills to children between the ages of 18 months and 12 years, reflecting Locario's lifelong dedication to holistic development through sport.

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