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George Lidster returns to the sideline for GW for his 12th season, and will post his 100th career win with GW's first victory of the season. Under his guidance, the Colonials have compiled a 99-83-26 record in his 11 seasons, including six Atlantic 10 Conference tournament appearances and an appearance in the "Sweet 16" of the 1989 NCAA tournament.

Lidster was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year after the team's resounding success in 1989 in his second season at the helm of the program. Leading GW to its first regular-season A-10 title in 1992, Lidster was named co-Coach of the Year.

Lidster is the winningest coach in GW history with 99 victories entering the 1999 campaign. Taking over the program in 1987, Lidster capped his first season with a 10-5-3 (8-0-2) record and was named the NCAA South Atlantic Region Coach of the Year, one of only eight regional coaches selected nationwide. In 1989, the Colonials set a team record for victories in a season (14) and goals scored in a season (48). Lidster's team also collected the first NCAA soccer tournament victory in the history of the University on November 11, 1989, with a 3-1 decision over George Mason, and advanced to the tournament's "Sweet 16".

A native of Durham, England, Lidster began his playing career with Newcastle United and Darlington FC before attending Loughborough University, where he received a teaching certificate in Physical Education. Lidster moved to the United States and received a bachelor's degree in communications in 1984 from the University of Illinois-Springfield (formerly Sangamon State), where he was an all-American and earned team MVP honors.

Lidster served a stint as assistant coach under Gordon Bradley at George Mason University, and continued his playing career in the metro-Washington area. Lidster led the Fairfax Spartans to the National Amateur Cup championship in 1986 with former United States national team members Desmond Armstrong, John Kerr, Jr., Bruce Murray and Bruce Stohlmeyer.

He later served as a player and assistant coach with the Washington Stars of the American Soccer League and American Professional Soccer League, and captained the 1988 ASL all-star team in the league's inaugural season. Lidster continued his playing career after the demise of the APSL, serving as assistant coach and captain of the Richmond Kickers in the USISL in 1994-95 and the Washington Mustangs in the USISL in 1995-96.

Lidster continued his coaching during a year-long sabbatical in England from June 1997 until July 1998, working in the community schemes of Milwall FC and Chelsea FC of the English Premier League. Lidster directed coaching courses and soccer academies identifying and developing players throughout the south of England.

Lidster and his wife Peggy reside in Burke, VA, with their two sons, Matthew, 12, and Daniel, 9.