Michael Payne (2015) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Michael Payne

Induction:
2015
Class:
1997

1992-95
Goalkeeper

From 1992 through 1995, Michael Payne was a four-year letterwinner and started in the goal in 48 of 52 games for the Zips.

Although he had a slow start as a freshman, under head coach Steve Parker, with a 1.71 goals against average (GAA) in 14 starts, Payne went on to earn first-team All-Mid-American Conference honors twice under head coach Ken Lolla.

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His sophomore season, with Payne in goal, UA had a 13-1 record and captured the MAC regular-season title with a 5-0 record. For his performance, that included a .85 GAA, Payne earned his first All-MAC honor.

In 1994, Payne was sidelined with an injury for the season after only four starts. However, he rebounded to only allow 11 goals in 16 starts for career low .69 GAA in 1995. As UA again won the MAC regular-season title with a 5-0 record, Payne captured first-team All-MAC and first-team All-Ohio honors.

Near the end of his senior year, Payne was drafted by the Cleveland Crunch (NPSL). Upon graduation he played professional soccer for the Hampton Roads Mariners (USISL) in Norfolk, Va. The next season, Payne moved back to Ohio to play for the Cleveland Caps (USISL) for two seasons.

Once he finished playing professional soccer, Payne began working for the Hudson City School District where he has been a physical education teacher for the last 19 years.

Payne has continued to be involved with soccer as a coach. He became the boys’ varsity coach at Hudson High School, a position he held for 10 seasons. The team won the Ohio State Championship and the National Championship in 2002. Payne then became an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Hiram College. Today Payne coaches for the Internationals Soccer Club with fellow UA alums George Nanchoff, Louie Nanchoff, and Zdravko Popovich. He is helping a U-16 Ambassador Soccer Team while running his own Ohio Goalkeeper Academy during the summer.

“I feel so blessed and thankful to be inducted into the University of Akron Hall of Fame,” Payne said. “During my four years at Akron, I was very fortunate to play for great coaches such as Steve Parker and Ken Lolla. They have played an integral role in who I am today. I also appreciate all of my great teammates I had over those four years. Many of my stats were due to the hard work and effort of everyone on those teams.”

“I want give a special thank you to everyone else who has invested so much time, energy, and money to help me throughout my life,” Payne said. “Most of all I want to thank God for all He has done for me! I want to thank my wife Laura (and kids) for always loving, encouraging, and supporting me. They are truly a gift from God. I also want thank one of the most amazing women in my life - my mother. A large part of who I am today is a result of her consistent, unconditional love. My stepfather Chuck Nichols has also been very instrumental in my personal development as a soccer player, coach, and family member. He has always been there for me and for that I am so grateful. Several other people who have had a major impact on my life include my brother Scott, the Moores (my in-laws), George and Louie Nanchoff, Zdravko Popovich, John Kissner (my High School coach), Bob Dean, and Jay Berk.”