Men's soccer coach Erik Visser has announced his retirement after 35 years with the University.
Men's Soccer Coach Erik Visser Announces His Retirement
11/20/2013 11:22:00 AM | Men's Soccer
SAN FRANCISCO -- Erik Visser has announced his retirement from the University of San Francisco after 35 years of service as a student athlete, coach, and administrator.
Visser took over the head coaching duties of the men's soccer program in 2001, succeeding the legendary Stephen Negoesco. With 109 wins in 13 seasons as the Dons' head coach, he ranks as the third all-time winningest coach behind two Hall of Fame Head Coaches Negoesco (540) and Gus Donoghue (121).
"Erik's dedication and loyalty to the program as a student-athlete, coach and administrator over a 35-year period has been exemplary," said USF Director of Athletics Scott Sidwell. "He has been and will continue to be a great ambassador for the University of San Francisco."
"I feel very fortunate to have been associated with the University of San Francisco and its soccer programs since 1978. USF will always hold a special place in my heart. I am proud of what my players, staff and I were able to accomplish together over the last 13 years and take great pride in all of the young men who came through our program who are great representatives of USF. I am looking forward to seeing my son, Brian, who played for me for two seasons, graduate from USF in December and opening a new chapter in my life," said Visser.
Visser guided USF to four NCAA Tournament appearances (2004, '05, '06 and '08) and three WCC Championships (2004, '05 and '08) in his 13-year coaching tenure. He was also named the WCC's Coach of the Year on three occasions (2004, '05, '08) and received National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Regional Coach of the Year honors in 2004.Visser ranks sixth on the WCC career wins list with 57
Under his tutelage, Aaron Chandler (2004), Rob Valentino (2006) and Conor Chinn (2008) earned West Coast Conference Player of the Year awards, while Valentino also became the first USF player to capture the conference's defender of the year award in 2005. Brendan Roslund was the inaugural Goalkeeper of the Year in 2011. Four of his players captured NSCAA Far West All-Region honors, 12 earned first team All-Conference honors while 17 garnered 28 second team all-conference accolades.
As a player, Visser was a four-year letter winner for the Dons under Negoesco and played on USF's 1978 and '80 national championship teams. Following his graduation from USF, he served as an assistant coach on Negoesco's staff for 19 seasons (1982-2000) until his appointment as head coach in 2001.
When USF added women's soccer as an intercollegiate sport in 1985, Visser was tabbed to serve as the program's first head coach and headed up the women's program for six seasons (1985-1991). He also served as an Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Academic services for nine years (1991-2000) and was awarded the University's Merit Service Award in 1993.
As a player and coach, Visser has participated in over 800 games on the Hilltop beginning in 1978.
In addition to his bachelor's degree in government, Visser earned master's degrees from USF in education (1986) and sports and fitness management (1993).
Visser took over the head coaching duties of the men's soccer program in 2001, succeeding the legendary Stephen Negoesco. With 109 wins in 13 seasons as the Dons' head coach, he ranks as the third all-time winningest coach behind two Hall of Fame Head Coaches Negoesco (540) and Gus Donoghue (121).
"Erik's dedication and loyalty to the program as a student-athlete, coach and administrator over a 35-year period has been exemplary," said USF Director of Athletics Scott Sidwell. "He has been and will continue to be a great ambassador for the University of San Francisco."
"I feel very fortunate to have been associated with the University of San Francisco and its soccer programs since 1978. USF will always hold a special place in my heart. I am proud of what my players, staff and I were able to accomplish together over the last 13 years and take great pride in all of the young men who came through our program who are great representatives of USF. I am looking forward to seeing my son, Brian, who played for me for two seasons, graduate from USF in December and opening a new chapter in my life," said Visser.
Visser guided USF to four NCAA Tournament appearances (2004, '05, '06 and '08) and three WCC Championships (2004, '05 and '08) in his 13-year coaching tenure. He was also named the WCC's Coach of the Year on three occasions (2004, '05, '08) and received National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Regional Coach of the Year honors in 2004.Visser ranks sixth on the WCC career wins list with 57
Under his tutelage, Aaron Chandler (2004), Rob Valentino (2006) and Conor Chinn (2008) earned West Coast Conference Player of the Year awards, while Valentino also became the first USF player to capture the conference's defender of the year award in 2005. Brendan Roslund was the inaugural Goalkeeper of the Year in 2011. Four of his players captured NSCAA Far West All-Region honors, 12 earned first team All-Conference honors while 17 garnered 28 second team all-conference accolades.
As a player, Visser was a four-year letter winner for the Dons under Negoesco and played on USF's 1978 and '80 national championship teams. Following his graduation from USF, he served as an assistant coach on Negoesco's staff for 19 seasons (1982-2000) until his appointment as head coach in 2001.
When USF added women's soccer as an intercollegiate sport in 1985, Visser was tabbed to serve as the program's first head coach and headed up the women's program for six seasons (1985-1991). He also served as an Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Academic services for nine years (1991-2000) and was awarded the University's Merit Service Award in 1993.
As a player and coach, Visser has participated in over 800 games on the Hilltop beginning in 1978.
In addition to his bachelor's degree in government, Visser earned master's degrees from USF in education (1986) and sports and fitness management (1993).
Wednesday, September 14
Wednesday, September 14
Wednesday, September 14
Wednesday, September 14
