HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University athletic director Jane Meier announced Thursday that John Basalyga has been selected as the head coach for the Norse men’s soccer program.
Basalyga, who compiled a 325-93-58 record as boys’ soccer coach at Turpin High School in Cincinnati during the past 24 years, succeeds John Toebben as the men’s soccer coach at NKU. Toebben died on April 26 after a seven-month battle with cancer.
Basalyga led Turpin to Ohio state championships in 1986, 2000 and 2001, and his teams produced 22 consecutive winning seasons. He also led the Spartans to 15 sectional championships and was named the Ohio High School State Coach of the Year in 2001.
“We are excited to have someone of John’s quality, and he is a very good soccer coach who has enjoyed tremendous success on the high school level in Cincinnati,” Meier said. “It is my hope that he leads our men’s soccer program to be very competitive in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the region and at the national level.”
Basalyga, a 1973 graduate of Bowling Green State University, led Turpin to the Fort Ancient Valley Conference championship last fall. He said he is looking forward to the challenge of coaching at the collegiate level.
“This is a 29-year dream come true for me,” Basalyga said. “My dream was always to be a college coach, and it’s been a long journey. This is a great opportunity at an outstanding institution, and I’m looking forward to this challenge.”
NKU posted a 6-10-2 overall record last season, and the Norse finished 3-6-1 in the GLVC.
“The Great Lakes Valley Conference is a very tough league, so it’s going to be difficult,” Basalyga said. “I am excited about this opportunity, and there are a lot of kids in this area who would like to stay close to home, attend a great institution like Northern Kentucky University and play soccer.”
NKU will open the 2003 season on Aug. 30 with a home match against the University of Findlay at the Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder, Ky.
|
John Basalyga |