George Kostelis named Western's Head Men's Soccer Coach

DANBURY, CT (Aug. 2) — George Kostelis has been named Head Men's Soccer Coach by Western Connecticut State University Director of Athletics Ed Farrington.

Kostelis fills the coaching position vacated when Peter Schachter retired in May after seven seasons at the Colonials’ helm.  Schachter compiled a 45-71-11 record and led Western to the NCAA Division III National Tournament in 2005 after capturing the Little East Conference Tournament title.

Kostelis comes to Western after 11 seasons as an Assistant Coach and Goalkeepers’ Coach at Yale University in New Haven, Conn.  He has held assistant coaching positions at University of Hartford (1995), University of Connecticut (women’s program – 1997-2000) and Quinnipiac University (2001).

Since 2000, he has been the owner of GK Soccer Training in Cromwell, Conn.  From 1990 to 2009, he was the Director for Goalkeeping School for SoccerPlus Camps and FSA SoccerPlus in Farmington, Conn.

The Cromwell, Conn. native enjoyed a decorated collegiate playing career at University of Hartford before earning a degree in Human Services in 1993.  He was inducted in the Hawks’ Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007.

He was a three-time All-North Atlantic Conference goalkeeper for the Hawks. He earned All-New England honors in 1992 and is second in school history in career goals against average (1.05), fourth in shutouts (17.4) and fourth in minutes played (6,216). He helped lead the Hawks to their first two Division I NCAA Tournament appearances in 1991 and 1992.

Against Virginia in a four overtime loss in the second round of the 1991 NCAA Tournament, he made 13 saves.

Kostelis served as a co-captain of the 1992 team and was selected to play in the Collegiate Soccer Senior Bowl that year. He also was named the North Atlantic Conference Tournament MVP in 1992 and was an all-tournament selection three times. In addition, he was named to North Atlantic Conference Academic Honor Roll as a junior and senior.

Following graduation, he played professionally in Greece for Aiolikos FC from 1993 through 1995.

Kostelis, along with legendary coach Tony DiCicco, has published numerous publications on goalkeeping including a four-part series on Advanced Handling for Goalkeepers.

The Colonials open the 2011 season on September 1, at 7 pm, when they play host to Albertus Magnus College.