One of current ODU head coach Alan Dawson's first recruits, Carlos Mendes (1998-01) was a three-time CAA first-teamer and was the CAA Rookie of the Year. He led the Monarchs to a pair of CAA regular season titles, and was twice named first-team all-region. He ranks third on ODU's career record book with 25 assists, and scored 11 goals as a defender. Mendes played professionally for 15 years, including eight years in the MLS, six of those for the New York Red Bulls.