August 2, 2011
Misiak Named SUNY Potsdam Head Women's Soccer Coach
POTSDAM, N.Y. - Mark Misiak, a former head coach and standout player who most recently served as the assistant coach of the SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team, will take over as the head women's soccer coach at SUNY Potsdam, effective Aug. 1.
Misiak, who assisted Potsdam men's soccer coach Adam Parker during the 2010-11 academic year, replaces Tim Moody, who coached the Bears for the last five seasons.
"I'd like to thank the search committee for allowing me this opportunity, and especially Coach Parker for all of his support," Misiak said. "I'm excited to have this chance to be a head coach in the same conference I played in. I can't wait to meet the girls and get started on the pitch."
SUNY Potsdam athletic director James Zalacca pointed out Misiak's array of experiences in the State University of New York Athletic Conference, as well as his prior experiences as both a head and assistant coach.
"We're delighted that Mark has decided to join our staff in a full time capacity," Zalacca said. "His work last season with our men's team, in addition to his previous experience working with female soccer athletes, has prepared him well for the challenges that lay ahead as we continue to progress forward with our women's team."
Prior to serving as an assistant coach for the men's team last season, Misiak served as the head coach of the men's program at Clinton Community College, where the team more than doubled its win total from the previous year. He was also the head coach of Plattsburgh FC U-12 boys premier and the U-18 girls premier since 2007. Several girls moved on to play collegiately following Misiak's tutelage.
As a former captain of the Plattsburgh State men's soccer team, Misiak is no stranger to SUNYAC competition. While at Plattsburgh, Misiak twice led the team in points and led the conference in assists in two different seasons. He helped lead the Cardinals to an NCAA Division III Final Four appearance in 2005. Misiak was a first-team All-Region honoree and a two-time d3kicks.com National Team of the Week honoree. Following the conclusion of his career, he won the Plattsburgh State Senior Achievement Award.
Following his collegiate playing career, Misiak played professionally with Odra Opole of the Polish second division.
A Toronto, Ontario, native, Misiak graduated from Plattsburgh in 2007. He is currently pursuing a master's inorganizational leadership at Potsdam.
Misiak plans to employ an aggressive, attacking style when preseason training begins later this month.
"I want the girls to look forward to coming to training," Misiak said. "It can be difficult to do that with the day-to-day grind of things, but they need to enjoy it. I want us to play the way we enjoy playing ... and the way people enjoy watching."
The Bears, who finished the 2010 season with a 10-10 record, including a 1-8 mark in SUNYAC play, open their 2011 campaign on Sept. 1 at Wells College.
