KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Kingston Stockade FC, a semi-professional soccer team based in the Hudson Valley that will play in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) for the 2016 season, is delighted to announce the appointment of local coaching legend George Vizvary as the club’s new head coach. With the appointment, Vizvary becomes the first coach in club history.
Vizvary is probably best known for his successful run as head men's soccer coach at Ulster County Community College from 1968 to 2010. Vizvary amassed an extremely impressive 534-28-159 (Wins-Draws-Losses) record at SUNY Ulster, which is the most wins by a coach in Junior College history. Vizvary won two National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championships and led his team to 17 appearances in the national tournament.
Vizvary is also well known in the soccer community for being named the 20th recipient of the prestigious Walt Chyzowych Lifetime Achievement Award, an award presented annually to the most accomplished soccer coaches in the U.S. Past winners of the award include former USMNT coach Bob Gansler, current Los Angeles Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, and current Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid.
Kingston Stockade FC chairman and founder Dennis Crowley praised Vizvary’s success on the pitch and connection to the local community.
“George is beloved by both the local soccer community and the Hudson Valley community at large, which made him the perfect first coach in club history,” said Crowley. “It’s hard to envision someone who has such deep local roots who has also accomplished as much on the pitch.”
Joining Vizvary on the Stockade bench will be newly hired Assistant Coach Rory Becker. Becker, who has his USSF A Coaching License, previously spent six years as an assistant coach at SUNY New Paltz and five years as an Olympic Development Program coach. After playing soccer at Ithaca College, Becker went on to play German Hungarian Metros in Queens. Becker, a two-time New York state soccer champion at Highland High School, is currently the assistant state boys soccer coordinator and Section 9 boys soccer coordinator.
“Rory’s the type of coach that players will respect based on what he’s previously accomplished as a player, but he also takes the coaching profession very seriously, as proven by the coaching licenses he’s amassed over the years,” said Crowley.
The third coaching hire announced by the club is Goalkeeper Coach Chuck Wilder. Wilder is highly regarded in the Hudson Valley for both his playing and coaching career. Wilder coached at the professional level for the Rockland Glaciers of the PDL, as well as the storied New York Fever of the A-League. Wilder also played professionally for the Tucson Amigos, Albany Alleycats and the New York Fever.
Wilder is the first goalkeeper coach in the history of Kingston Stockade FC, and his ties to the local community made him a natural for the club, according to General Manager Randy Kim.
“Wilder’s experience both on the pitch and off immediately made him a top candidate, but his connections to storied local sides like the Fever make him a tremendous fit for the club’s inaugural season,” said Kim.
“Between George, Rory and Chuck, we think Kingston Stockade FC is well positioned to make the greater Hudson Valley region proud this season, both on and off the pitch,” said Kingston Stockade FC’s Lead Scouts, Dan Hoffay and Nick Hoffay, who have been instrumental in scouting local talent.
Kingston Stockade Football Club is a men's semi-professional soccer team based in Kingston, NY. Kingston Stockade will play its first season at Dietz Stadium in Kingston, N.Y. starting in the spring of 2016. The club will be representing the Hudson Valley in the NPSL, which is the 4th division of the U.S. soccer pyramid.
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For more information on Kingston Stockade FC, visit http://stockadefc.com. You can also follow the club on both Twitter and Instagram at @StockadeFC and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stockadefc