SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse University head soccer coach Dean Foti has hired Kris Bertsch as an assistant coach. Bertsch, a four-year standout player at American University, spent the last four seasons as the director of soccer operations at Connecticut. During his time with the Huskies, Connecticut posted a 57-18-11 record, won two BIG EAST Tournament titles and earned four NCAA Tournament berths.
Bertsch will be responsible for assisting Foti in all facets of the program, including recruiting, opponent scouting, game preparation and player training.
“Kris comes to use with a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success,” Foti said. “The energy and the organizational skills he brings with him mesh perfectly with our current staff, and our players will enjoy working with him and learning from him.”
In addition to his stint with the Huskies, Bertsch has also served as the assistant coaching director of Northeast United, a premier soccer league in Connecticut and spent time at the United Soccer Academy working as a coach and as a member of the marketing department.
At Connecticut, Bertsch assisted head coach Ray Reid with team travel and promotions, as well as performed other administrative duties. In addition, he spearheaded the formation of the Huskies’ Goal Patrol, a student support group for men’s soccer, in 2005. The Goal Patrol now boasts more than 500 members, and Connecticut ranked in the top five nationally in attendance in each of Bertsch’s four years on the Huskies’ staff, including leading the nation in average attendance in 2006 and 2007.
A four-year starter at American, Bertsch led the Eagles in goals and assists in 2000 and 2001. He guided American to the 2001 Patriot League Championship and NCAA Tournament appearances both seasons. At the club level Bertsch spent several seasons with FC Delco, helping lead the squad to the 1998 and 2000 U.S. Youth Soccer national titles. In 2000, he was presented with the Golden Boot Award, given to the leading scorer during the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship.
Bertsch is a native of Clinton, N.J. and played high school soccer at the Pingry School where he is a member of the school's athletic Hall of Fame. He graduated from American in 2003 with a degree in business administration and a concentration in marketing.