FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 25, 2008

Rhode Island College Names Mike Koperda
Head Women’s Soccer/Lacrosse Coach

Providence, RI—Rhode Island College has named Mike Koperda as its new Head Women’s Soccer and Lacrosse Coach. He takes over for Denis Chartier who stepped down earlier this month to work with the Brown University women’s soccer program.

“It is an absolute honor, pleasure and opportunity to begin coaching women’s soccer and lacrosse at Rhode Island College,” Koperda said. “With the cost of education today, the opportunity for student-athletes to succeed both academically and athletically has never been better.”

Koperda has over 30 years of industry experience in both professional and collegiate athletics. He most recently served as the General Manager of the Family Soccer Center in Norwich, NY from 1999-2008, where he oversaw a variety of soccer and lacrosse leagues, tournaments, camps, clinics and training. During this time span, Koperda served as the Head Coach of FSC’s travel select team program, the New York Dash Soccer Club. In 2003-04, he was the Head Boys Varsity Soccer Coach at Rome (NY) Free Academy.

He spent four years as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Morrisville State, compiling a 37-34-2 career record, from 1999-2002. Koperda restored a winning tradition to the Mustangs’ soccer program during his time there. The four years prior to his arrival, Morrisville State was 23-40-3, a 61 percent improvement in victories.

During his tenure, the Mustangs spent time in the national rankings, with the highest being eighth. Koperda led Morrisville State to its first postseason berth in seven seasons in 1999, reaching the semifinals of the Northeast Region. He coached three All-Americans and six All-Regional selections.

He was a member of the Syracuse Blitz’s Premier Soccer Club’s coaching staff from 1996-2003 and the Head Youth Soccer Coach of Deerfield (NY) AYSO for 18 years (1990-2007).

Koperda spent four years in professional baseball sports administration from 1978-81, while working for the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves organizations.

He is the founder of Soccer Saves Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization that financially helps underprivileged youth with outstanding soccer skills who are looking to pursue a career in collegiate soccer. It was recently featured in an issue of the New York Times.

He owns a variety of soccer coaching licenses.

Koperda is a 2006 graduate of Empire State College, earning a bachelor degree in professional studies. He earned a master’s degree in sports management from Cortland State in 2007.

Koperda resides in Greenville, Rhode Island.

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