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Singer Hired To Join Women's Soccer Program
May 22, 2007 | Women's Soccer
May 22, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Former member of the New England Revolution and BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year Kyle Singer has been hired as an assistant coach for the University of Louisville women's soccer team.
Singer spent the past season as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota after spending time at Boston College and Northeastern.
"Kyle is a wonderful hire for the University of Louisville women's soccer program," stated Head Coach Karen Ferguson, who will be entering her eighth season after guiding the Cards to its first national ranking and a berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2006.
"He has exceptional playing experiences at the collegiate, national and professional levels and will without question be able to challenge our student-athletes both academically and athletically. He is a great young coach who has the passion and drive to be successful and he will absolutely help us to achieve our goals of remaining in the top 25 and establishing a tradition of excellence," Ferguson added.
Under Singer in his only season in the Twin Cities, first-year keeper Lindsay Dare ranked 6th in the nation in save percentage in2006.
The previous season, the Plymouth, Minnesota native spent one season working at Boston College with both men's and women's teams. The Eagles women's team recorded a school record 13 shutouts and an 0.79 goals against average and finished the season ranked #10 in the nation. Goalkeeper Arianna Criscione earned All-Region honors from two different publications.
Singer spent two seasons at Northeastern, with the women's team recording the highest win total in school history in 2004. The men's team battled to the America East Championship game in 2003, and under his tutelage Sergio Saccoccio earned all region and all-tournament honors.
While spending time in Massachusetts and Minnesota, Singer has coached both club and ODP teams.
Singer was drafted by the New England Revolution 29th overall in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft and spent three seasons with the Revolution. He competed for two seasons with the New Hampshire Phantoms where he was Player of the Week once and Goalkeeper of the Week three times.
Singer began his collegiate career as a player at Virginia, where after redshirting he took the field for just 30 matches for the Cavaliers in three seasons. Upon transferring to Boston College he stepped into the starting lineup and helped the Eagles to the Elite Eight - the best finish in school history, winning a school record 17 games and earning honorable mention All-America, First Team All-BIG EAST, First Team All-Region and BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year.
Prior to his collegiate career, Singer was a member of the US National Team, competing with the U-17 squad in the World Cup in Egypt and guiding the US to a shutout win over Austria. He was also between the pipes in a numerous friendlies, earning "Man of the Match" honors in contests against Uruguay and Costa Rica.
He received a bachelor's degree in foreign affairs from Virginia and completed his master's degree in higher education administration while at Boston College.
Singer is married to the former Cristen Redeker who is a Nurse Practitioner working in Labor and Delivery.
Q & A Session with new Cardinal Assistant Kyle Singer
Q. - You had the opportunity to compete in the BIG EAST as a player and coach, where does the BIG EAST rank among the nation's conferences? There is no question that the Big East is in the upper echelon of soccer conferences. At any one time there could be 6 teams ranked in the top 25, and there are probably 4 more teams in the conference that may deserve to be in that mix as well, so you know that every game is going to be a challenge. But, there is no better preparation to being successful in the NCAA Tournament than to play top caliber teams week in and week out.
Q. - What attracted you to the University of Louisville?? I think Louisville Soccer has all the factors needed to become a top soccer program in the nation. The commitment to success clearly starts at the top, and the leadership of Dr. James Ramsey and Athletics Director Tom Jurich have created a clear vision. Coach Ferguson has taken that vision and build a program the right way that can maintain success in the long term, and the players are great kids willing to do everything they can to achieve their goals. I feel tremendously fortunate to have the opportunity to join a program where great people are achieving amazing feats.
Q. - What have you drawn from your experiences with the U.S. Youth National Team Program? The MLS?? Every level I have advanced to as a player has challenged me both on and off the field. I have succeeded and I have failed, but through it all I gained knowledge of myself and knowledge of the game. There is no question that these experiences will help me in providing a deeper understanding of the game to our players, but I think more importantly I have been through much of the highs and lows of life as a high level soccer player and will be able to help provide the support our players need to reach their goals.
Q. - What are your impressions of the Cardinal soccer team and Karen Ferguson? There is no question that the first word that comes to mind is dedication. Neither Karen nor the players will accept anything less than the best they are capable of giving. While the team is full of special individuals, the willingness they have shown to sacrifice individual desires for the collective greatness is tremendous. Not everyone is willing or capable of making that sacrifice, and it says a lot about the character of everyone involved in the program, not just from coaches and players, but from administrators, parents, and the other people behind the scenes. When you have people who care that much I think there are few limits to what you can accomplish as a team.
Q.- What is this program capable of achieving? This past season showed that this program is capable of playing with, and beating, any team in the country, and I think that this is only just the beginning. There is no reason why Louisville Soccer cannot challenge for the Big East crown every year. And, with the level of play only getting better in the Big East I do not think it is a stretch to say that any team capable of challenging for a Big East title is just as capable of making a run in the NCAA Tournament.
Q. - How would you describe your coaching style? I believe first and foremost in relationships and trust. For me to get the most out of a player she has to trust me and believe in me as a person because every day is not going to be great, and when things get challenging and begin to get tough it is that understanding of one another that will always let a player now that she has support. I will challenge players to give me their best, but they always must know that I believe in them and will give them the support they need to succeed both on and off the field.
