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Soccer (Men's)
Head Coach Andy Jennings Email x7815
Assistant Coach Nate Gibboney Email x7466

Head Coach Andy Jennings


Andy Jennings, the winningest men's soccer coach in Vassar history, begins his 16th season as head men's soccer coach at Vassar in the 2007 season. As head coach of the Brewers from 1981 to 1986 and again from 1989 to 1996, Jennings compiled a 123-79-27 record and transformed Vassar into one of the Northeast region's premier teams, capturing two Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference regional championships, appearing in seven ECAC playoff championships, and winning three Suburban Conference titles. Jennings, who had served as Vassar's first fulltime Director of Athletics in 1996, returned to fulltime coaching in the 2004 season. Over the last three seasons, he has transformed Vassar into a formidable team against non-league opponents and particularly inside the highly-competitive Liberty League, widely considered one of the finest in the country. In the 2006 season, Vassar was in the thick of earning one of four Liberty League playoff spots until the final weekend of the season.

After stepping down as head soccer coach in 1996 to fully focus on his role as Vassar's Director of Athletics, the program continued to evolve with a NCAA tournament berth in 1999.

Jennings, a qualified Football Association coach, has directed numerous soccer camps, has worked with both the United States Soccer Federation and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, and continues to be involved in youth soccer in the mid-Hudson valley. During his playing days, he played semi-professionally in England and also represented England Universities. In 2001-02, Jennings, while on sabbatical, gained invaluable experience with the England Under-17 national team and the Bristol City Football Club Academy program.

From 1990 to 2004 Jennings also served as Vassar's Director of Athletics. During this time he spearheaded significant improvements to the athletic facilities including; a $16M additional to the field house (2000), $2.5M locker facility for outdoor sports (2003) plus other facility improvements and renovations.

Presently, Jennings serves as the Project Manager for a $7.6 million refurbishing of Prentiss Field. The facility will include a state-of-the-art lighted soccer field and practice field, artificial turf field and massive overhaul of the facilities used for field hockey, lacrosse and baseball.

Jennings graduated from Exeter University in England with a Bachelor of Education, received his Masters degree from the College of William and Mary in Virginia and gained his PhD in Sport Psychology from the University of Maryland. Jennings also serves as the women's golf coach.

Athletic Philosophy

Being a member of the soccer team at Vassar is not simply about playing the game. Clearly, the pursuit of success is a critical component of playing soccer at Vassar; however, the overriding goal is the pursuit of personal growth and development. It is through a player's commitment to his intellectual, emotional, psychological, as well as, physical development along with my commitment to providing an environment in which the positive effects of these traits will be maximized that the players and the team will experience the greatest success. While the end is important therefore, it is the process that will ultimately determine how successful the team will be.

Vassar Athletics

I came to Vassar 20 years ago expecting to stay for a year or two, however I found in Vassar a wonderful opportunity to pursue my career in an incredible educational environment. The single greatest strength of this institution is the quality and diversity of the student body. Because of the diversity of student, opinion, thought and attitude, the dialogue and discourse that takes place at every level is extremely enlightening and educational.

 

Assistant Coach Nate Gibboney

Nate Gibboney begins his first season as an assistant men's soccer coach. Gibboney had previously been the assistant coach at Westminster College, in New Wilmington, PA. The Huntingdon, PA native recently finished a two year stint at Westminster College, where he earned his Masters Degree in Education.

At Westminster, Gibboney helped coach the Titans to a fourth place Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) showing in 2005, while leading the 2006 squad to a PAC Tournament championship and eventual ECAC Tournament appearance.

Gibboney brings a wealth of coaching experience from working various well known and respected soccer camps. In addition to serving as the Assistant Director of Westminster Soccer Camps, Gibboney worked at the West Point Soccer Camp during the summer of 2006, coaching some of the finest up-and-coming soccer talent in the Northeast.

This past year Gibboney attended the NSCAA convention in Philadelphia, and he received both his regional and advanced regional coaching license.

As a four year starter for his alma mater, Susquehanna University, Gibboney served as captain for both his junior and senior seasons. In 2004, he was recognized as the team Defensive Player of the Year and was named All Middle Atlantic Conference.

Gibboney received his B.S. in Business Administration from Susquehanna University and his M. Ed. In education from Westminster College.


Goalie Coach Chuck Wilder

Chuck Wilder has a coaching reesume that includes local schools Dutchess Community College, SUNY Purchase, Sominican College, Bard College and as head coach at SUNY Purchase. Wilder has been part of the Hudson Valley Empire State Scholastic Boys Soccer Team for the past nine years. He is the ODP Girls Goalkeeping Coach and Head Goalkeeping trainer for both boys and girls Middlepath FC programs. He has played professionally as a goalkeeper in the U.S. I.S. L. with the Tucson Amigos, Albany Alleycats and also in the "A" League with The New York Fever.