John Czarnecki, the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Hilbert College is pleased to introduce Mike Ertel as the Men’s Soccer Head Coach effective immediately. Ertel is excited to hit the ground running in preparation for his first opportunity leading a NCAA Division III program.
Most recently, Ertel was charged with leading Villa Maria College’s men’s soccer program in their inaugural season of competition in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division II league during the 2016-17 academic year. He accepted the position in the spring of 2015 and used that first year to develop relationships while recruiting for the start-up program.
Prior to his first collegiate experience, Ertel was the boys’ varsity soccer coach at West Seneca East High School from 2011 through to 2014. He developed character as well as soccer skills as he assisted his athletes to life after high school.
Ertel’s coaching experience is extensive outside the academic realm.
He served as an assistant coach with the FC Buffalo team (2013-2014) of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and gained valuable experience facilitating and implementing training programs for the Division I athletes who competed in Buffalo.
The North Tonawanda native was part of the inaugural class of the New York State West Youth Soccer Association (NYSWYSA) Olympic Development Initiative. This mentorship program for young aspiring coaches allowed Ertel to gain coaching positions within the NYSWYSA Olympic Development Program. He helped lead the 98’ boys’ team to the Region I ODP finals in 2013.
Since 2010 Ertel has maintained a coaching position with the Empire United Soccer Academy and is currently on staff as an assistant coach with the U.S. Boys Development Academy team. He serves as the Director of Coaching and player development for Grand Island Soccer Club and is a member of the Buffalo & WNY Junior Soccer League (BWNYJSL) Board of Directors. He believes these leadership opportunities will help improve the grassroots soccer community in Buffalo and Western New York.
In January 2017 Ertel was recognized in Los Angeles, California at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala as the 2016 National Boys Competitive Coach of the Year. He was rewarded for his coaching activities, sportsmanship, player development, personal coaching development and citizenship.
Ertel attained the USSF National “B” License and a NSCAA Premier Diploma. He is currently a candidate for the USSF Youth “A” License. As well, he published an article in the May 2014 edition of the NSCAA Soccer Journal titled “Transformational leadership In Youth Soccer”.
Ertel earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health education from Canisius College in December 2014 and recently attained a master’s degree in recreation and sports studies with a concentration in soccer coaching from Ohio University in June, 2017.