The University of Nebraska Athletics Department is deeply saddened to confirm that Assistant Soccer Coach Peter Underwood was tragically killed in a car accident on Saturday, May 16, 2015, while on a recruiting trip near Atlantic, Iowa.
Underwood just completed his fourth season with the Nebraska women’s soccer program, serving the last two as a full-time coach and the previous two as a volunteer assistant. Underwood helped the Huskers to the Big Ten Conference regular-season and tournament titles in 2013, as Nebraska posted a 19-4-1 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Prior to coming to Nebraska, Underwood spent two years as an assistant coach at the University of Montana and three years as a graduate assistant coach for Marshall‘s men’s and women’s soccer teams. He earned a Bachelor’s of Sports Psychology degree from Concord University in 2006 and earned a Master’s degree in Athletic Administration from Marshall in 2008.
A native of London, England, Underwood moved to the United States and played one season of varsity soccer at Concord, before the program was dropped. He immediately embarked on his coaching career, serving as a student assistant coach for the women’s program. Underwood earned a Union of European Football Association (UEFA) coaching ‘A’ license.
Underwood, 31, is survived by his wife, Austin, and their two young children, daughter, Lyla, and son, Jude.
Statement from University of Nebraska Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst:
“The University of Nebraska Athletics family is deeply saddened by the loss of Peter Underwood and our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to his wife, Austin, their children, Lyla and Jude, and his extended family and friends. Peter was a beacon of positive light, a wonderfully talented coach, and an even better family man of great character and faith. He will be missed by all of us.”
Statement from University of Nebraska Soccer Head Coach John Walker:
“We lost a terrific man today. He was outstanding in all that he did. He was a wonderful husband to Austin and a terrific father to Lyla and Jude. As a coach, his potential was limitless. His creativity, attention to detail, passion for learning and teaching style was the best I have been around during my years in coaching. He was well beyond his years with his knowledge base and how he saw the game. Lastly he cared so much about the players and their well-being. He had such a positive influence on everyone that he came into contact with. We will miss him greatly.”
Services are pending. Condolences may be sent to the family at: Underwood Family, P.O. Box 880120, One Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE 68588-0120.
Several teams are coaches across the nation took to Twitter to send their thoughts and prayers.
Sending thoughts and prayers to @NebraskaSoccer and the family of Peter Underwood. #B1GFamily
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Minnesota Soccer (@gophersoccer) May 17, 2015
Thoughts & prayers are with @NebraskaSoccer & Peter Underwood’s family. Good man & gone too soon. He will be forever missed. #B1GFamily
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Stefanie Golan (@MNCoachGolan) May 16, 2015
Thoughts and prayers out to the entire @NebraskaSoccer program on the passing of Assistant Coach, Peter Underwood.
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Chris Cissell (@CoachCissell) May 17, 2015
RIP TO A TOP TOP MAN. Peter Underwood and I were grad assistants at Marshall together. Can’t believe it. Praying for his family.
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Chad Duernberger (@ChadDuernberger) May 17, 2015
