Joe Calabrese Named Utica Men's Soccer Coach
March 2, 2009
UTICA, NY (Mar. 2, 2009) - Utica College Athletic Director Jim Spartano Monday named Joe Calabrese head men's soccer coach. Calabrese joins the Utica men’s soccer staff as head coach after spending the last three seasons as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Western New England College.
“My wife and I are extremely excited about joining the Utica College family and community. I feel privileged and humbled at the opportunity to lead the Utica College Pioneers men’s soccer program," says Calabrese. "Our program will uphold many of the core values of Utica College. We will be active leaders on the campus, within the community, and maintain a standard of excellence in the classroom.”
During his three seasons at WNEC, the Golden Bears posted a cumulative record of 47-13-9 for a staggering winning percentage of 78 percent. The 2006, 2007, & 2008 Golden Bears also won three consecutive conference championships (1 GNAC, 2 TCCC) and posted a winning record in the NCAA Tournament at 3-2-1. The Golden Bears finished ranked in the top 25 nationally in the final National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III poll twice and were ranked as high as 12th.
Calabrese takes over for former Head Coach Steve Christenson, who took a position as Director of Coaching Boys for Doug Miller Soccer - Rochester Rhinos Academy & School in Rochester, NY. Christenson led the Pioneers to a 23-28-3 overall record in three seasons at the helm and in 2007 he was named the Empire 8 Conference Coach of the Year after guiding the Pioneers to a program best 10-9 overall record.
“Former Head Coach Steve Christenson and current Assistant Coach Tim Larocca have set the foundation for a program with a bright future and vision," says Calabrese, who holds the United States Soccer Federation's "A" Coaching License . "I look forward to the challenge of competing against all of the highly respected programs and coaches in the Empire 8 Conference.”
Calabrese previously held coaching assignments at Westfield State, West Springfield High School, and the Western Massachusetts Pioneers U-23 reserve team. Most recently he was appointed the Massachusetts Olympic Development Program U-17 boys’ head coach. In 2007, he guided the Western United U-18 boys' soccer team to the Massachusetts State cup title, a US Youth Soccer Region 1 Championship appearance and a national ranking of seventh by www.nationalsoccerranking.com.
As a player, Calabrese was a four-year starter, two-time captain, and twice an All-MASCAC selection at Westfield State. He was the Owls' Most Valuable Player his senior season, the recipient of the team Leadership Award as a junior, and the squad's Most Valuable Offensive Player as a sophomore. The Owls participated in one NCAA Tournament and reached a New-England ECAC Championship. Calabrese also played professionally with the Massachusetts Twisters of the American Indoor Soccer League.
Calabrese obtained a Master of Education in Sport Management from Springfield College in 2008 and is a 2004 graduate of Westfield State College where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.