Space Coast Sports Hall of Famer Mike Soliven Returns as Melbourne Bulldogs Head Basketball Coach
By Space Coast Daily // September 21, 2023
returns after retiring back in 2020
WATCH: Mike Soliven was inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. When Soliven retired he had 569 career wins, two FHSAA Final Fours, and 10 district championships on his resume.
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Space Coast Sports Hall of Famer Mike Soliven returns as Head Basketball Coach of the Melbourne Bulldogs after retiring in 2020.
When Soliven retired he had 569 career wins, two FHSAA Final Fours, and 10 district championships on his resume.
He grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and attended Episcopal School, where he played baseball for four years and basketball for two.
From there, Soliven attended the University of Florida where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in English in 1998 and Master’s in 1990.
After graduating from UF in 1990, Soliven came to Melbourne High and began his coaching career, leading the Bulldogs girls’ varsity basketball team.
After winning 44 of his final 53 games for the Lady Bulldogs, Soliven became the head coach for the boys’ varsity team.
They say people who are destined to do great things learn from people who have already accomplished them.
New to coaching, Soliven watched and learned from two coaches who combined to win over 1,300 games, appeared in 17 Final Fours, and won five state titles between them, current Space Coast Sports Hall of Famers Mike Gaudy from Satellite and Astronaut Greg Hostetler.
Soliven was inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame back in 2017.
Related Story:MIKE SOLIVEN: Celebrating One of Brevard’s Best Teachers, As Coach Won More Than 500 Games at Melbourne High
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