PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation mourns the loss of assistant men's and women's soccer coach Geoff Spear, who passed away suddenly on Sunday, Jan. 26.

Spear, a 1985 graduate of Plattsburgh State, coached with the men's soccer team for 29 seasons and the women's soccer team over the last three years. During his tenure as an assistant at Plattsburgh, the men's program has seen sustained success, with the team earning seven State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) titles since he started in 1994 and advancing to nine NCAA Tournaments in that span. He has also helped the women's team to five SUNYAC playoff appearances in his seven years working with the team.

Spear helped develop two recent All-SUNYAC goalies in graduating seniors Lauren Haley and Teddy Healy. Haley was a two-time all-conference honoree, earning First Team accolades in 2023 and Third Team plaudits in 2024 under the tutelage of Spear. Healy had a career 1.17 goals-against average and earned All-SUNYAC Second Team honors in his senior season.

Spear developed Zach Manning and John San Filippo into All-SUNYAC goalies for four years from 2005-08. San Filippo led the SUNYAC and ranked 16th in NCAA Division III with a 0.53 goals-against average in route to earning all-region accolades in 2006. San Filippo then led the nation with 0.20 GAA, while making the 2007 D3kicks All-America Second Team. He wrapped up his career holding several school records and earned the 2008 Huntley Parker Award as the SUNYAC's top player. In 2005, Manning finished in the SUNYAC top four in GAA, minutes played and save percentage while earning all-conference and SUNYAC Tournament MVP honors for the first time en route to the Cardinals' first NCAA Final Four appearance.

Spear's passion for Cardinal Athletics was reinforced by several family ties to the department. His father, Dr. Merritt Spear, was the longtime face of Plattsburgh State Sports Medicine and is a member of the Plattsburgh State Athletic Hall of Fame; his son Ian '18 played men's soccer at Plattsburgh State from 2014 to 2017; and his daughter Samantha G'23 competed for the Cardinal women's soccer team in 2022 during her graduate year. During his undergraduate career, Geoff competed in soccer and swimming at Plattsburgh State, and he ultimately returned to his alma mater in 1994 as an assistant coach on former head men's soccer coach Chris Waterbury's staff.

Spear also had coaching stops at Clinton Community College, the University of Connecticut (UCONN), and Paul Smith's (NY) College. In 1988, he posted a 7-7 record as the head women's soccer coach at Clinton, and then in 1989 led the men's team to a 10-5-1 record and a junior college regional playoff berth. Spear's next stop was at UCONN, where he was an assistant coach for the perennial NCAA Division I Program. After four seasons with Chris Waterbury, Spear coached for two seasons at Paul Smith's in 1998 and 1999.

A husband to Dr. Anne-Marie Spear, a renowned North Country dentist; a father to Taylor, Ian, Samantha, and Tanner; and a grandfather to Blake, Geoff was a larger-than-life presence in the local sports community. He coached soccer for Clinton Community College, Peru High School, and the Peru Youth Commission, along with many youth soccer camps. He was also a founding member of the Plattsburgh Football Club. Geoff's expertise in goalkeeping served as a valuable resource in the community, helping elevate several local and collegiate goalkeepers to their maximum potential.

A full obituary can be found here.

Here is what the Plattsburgh State Athletics Community had to say about Spear and his time at Plattsburgh State:

Chris Taylor: Head Men's Soccer Coach
"It is hard to articulate what Geoff meant to all of us within Plattsburgh Soccer. His loss is something we are all still coming to terms with, and it will take some time to move forward without him. His impact has been felt for so long and by so many of us, that we have never known Plattsburgh Soccer without Coach Spear. His loyalty and commitment to Plattsburgh Soccer was special and the program would not have the successes it has had without his impact. Having Coach Spear as an Assistant Coach felt like having another Head Coach on the staff because of his vast experience and knowledge.

Geoff has mentored many student-athletes in his time with Plattsburgh Soccer, but none more so than our goalkeepers. He played a major part in the careers of so many all-time greats in goal for Plattsburgh and we were fortunate to have one of the best goalkeeper coaches in the country with our program. For myself as Head Coach, I would not be in this position without his guidance and mentorship that stretches back to my time as a Plattsburgh player. He has been part of my journey every step of the way and it was an honor to work side by side with him when I returned to Plattsburgh.

We will miss his experience, knowledge, wit, and sense of humor, but most of all we will miss his passion for Plattsburgh Soccer. He is truly irreplaceable, but his spirit will live forever within our program."

Teddy Healy: Plattsburgh State Men's Ice Hockey Goalie, 2021-24
"Since freshman year, Geoff Spear always had his arms wide open welcoming anyone to the team. The most important thing about Coach Spear was that he made sure he was able to connect in different ways with all of his players. He enjoyed sharing stories with us, whether it was about golf, the country concerts he attended, or anything else — he always had a great story to tell.

One of the best qualities about Coach Spear was his deep belief in our abilities. He truly wanted us to become better soccer players but even more importantly to grow and mature. He would work us as hard as he could while always making sure there was a good laugh in between.

One memory that stands out the most to me was my first-ever collegiate game against St. Lawrence. Head Coach Chris Taylor, just ended his pregame talk and asked Coach Spear if there was anything he wanted to add. From the moment he started talking, you could just feel the drive and emotion coming from his voice. When Coach Spear was speaking, everyone's eyes just latched onto him and felt ready to go. To this day it was one of the best "pre-game" speeches I've ever heard. Coach Spear truly was a great coach. He was someone who I looked up to and I will never forget the role model he was to not only myself but everyone that knew him."

Whitney Frary: Head Women's Soccer Coach
"Geoff's influence extended far beyond the field—not just as a coach, but as a mentor and leader in our community. His selflessness and unwavering dedication to Cardinal soccer were evident in everything he did. Every athlete who played under him felt his support, his care, and his belief in them, both on and off the field. Geoff's absence will be felt every day, but his legacy lives on. Every time we put on the Cardinal jersey, we honor Geoff by striving to embody the qualities that made him such an irreplaceable part of our Cardinal family."

Chris Waterbury: Former Men's Soccer Head Soccer Coach and Plattsburgh State Athletics Hall of Famer
"Geoff Spear had a tremendous impact on the Men's soccer team at Plattsburgh State. his impact goes far beyond the sport of soccer, however. He was instrumental in helping young men become quality mature adults. He was demanding yet fair, he was tough yet compassionate. The expectation was to be all in life, academics, athletics, and as a person, be the best version of yourself. That was Geoff's biggest impact. He was as excited with a midterm grade as well as a great goal. I will remember Geoff as a great coach but a greater person."

Mike Howard: Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation
"Geoff was a rare breed, serving as an assistant coach for our programs for over 20 years and loving every minute. His love for the game of soccer and deep dedication to our student-athletes was evident in everything he did. He was greatly admired by all of our staff, and I know I speak for all of us in Cardinal Athletics in sending our thoughts and prayers to the Spear family."
 
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