HEAD COACH ERIK RONNING
 

Erik Ronning has been named head coach of the Colgate University men’s soccer program, it was announced by athletics director David Roach.  Ronning, a 1997 Colgate graduate and former assistant coach, replaces Mike Doherty, who served as head coach for 20 years.

“We are excited that Erik Ronning is coming home to Colgate to lead our men's soccer program,” said Roach.  “He was the perfect fit to be our head coach. His experience in helping build a program at Northwestern along with his knowledge and love of Colgate will allow him to accomplish great things here in Hamilton.  I look forward to working with Erik as we continue to implement our athletic scholarship program in soccer.”

"I want to thank athletic director Dave Roach for giving me the opportunity to be the next head soccer coach at Colgate,” said Ronning.  “There are some very exciting things going on at Colgate and I am excited be a part of the athletic department, this wonderful University, as well as to lead the men's soccer program to the top of the Patriot League once again.” 

“I would also like to thank former head coach Mike Doherty for doing such a terrific job in creating a special experience for the student athletes over the course of the last 20 years,” said Ronning.  ”It is exciting to be home, and am looking forward to the challenge that awaits."

Ronning has spent the past four years with the Northwestern University men’s soccer program, beginning as an assistant coach and then as the associate coach under two-time NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year Tim Lenahan.

He has been an essential part of Northwestern’s recent success as a national soccer power.  After finishing the 2000 and 2001 seasons with a combined 1-30-4 record, the Wildcats improved leaps and bounds.

This past year the school earned its first top 25 national ranking with a 15-6-2 record.  The squad set school records for most wins in a season, most Big Ten conference wins, highest regular season finish in the Big Ten and reached the championship game of the Big Ten tournament.  The Wildcats made their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance and were the only first-year team to advance to the second round of the tournament.   

With responsibilities including, field coaching, player development, opponent scouting and game preparation, as well as recruitment of prospective student-athletes, Ronning was recognized by College Soccer News as one of the top assistant coaches in the country in both 2002 and 2004.

Ronning was the assistant coach at Colgate from 1997-2001, where he was the primary recruiting coordinator.  His recruiting efforts included five all-New York region selections, one Patriot League Rookie of the Year, and 10 all-Patriot League selections.  The 1998 team earned a national ranking while the 1997 squad were both the Patriot League regular and tournament champions, appearing in an NCAA play-in game.

A former Raider, Ronning was a four-year starter and team captain in 1996.  He was named first-team all-Patriot League and team MVP his senior year.

Outside of collegiate soccer, Ronning has been the head coach of the Sockers FC Chicago, a highly competitive elite boy’s soccer club for the past two years.  He has also been a member of the USYSA Region 2 Olympic Development Program staff and a scout for the Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESO).  Ronning also coached the New York State West Olympic Development under-15, under-17 and under-14 teams from 1999-2001.  He holds an NSCAA Advanced National diploma as well as a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) A coaching license.