KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 5, 2023) – United Soccer Coaches has announced the selection of Rob Herringer as the 2023 Mike Berticelli Excellence in Coaching Education Award recipient for his outstanding contributions teaching coaches and service to the game.
Herringer becomes the 24th person to receive the prestigious recognition from his peers. The award is named in honor of Mike Berticelli, the association’s former Vice President of Education and men’s coach at the University of Notre Dame who passed away in 2000. Herringer was recently hired as the new United Soccer Coaches Director of Coaching Education.“Just as his work as a coach educator caught the eye of the hiring committee for his new role as the association’s Director of Coaching Education, it also caught the eye of senior staff that nominated Rob for this award,” said Geoff VanDeusen, United Soccer Coaches Chief Executive Officer. “Rob has not only been an outstanding member of the association but an exceptional coach educator forging the path for coaches of all levels.” A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Herringer has been a United Soccer Coaches member since 2000. He played collegiately at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas (1996— 2000), for legendary coach John Casey. Herringer holds the United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma, the Master Coach Diploma, a US Soccer A License and professional development certificates from federations and clubs in Scotland and England.
Herringer began his coaching experience as the head coach for boys and girls at Leavenworth (Kansas) High School. He held positions as the staff coach for Kansas Girls ODP, US Youth Soccer Region II Boys and head of the Kansas Boys ODP program. He has been Director of Coaching for the Leavenworth Soccer Association and Kansas Youth Soccer. In 2003, he was named the men’s coach at his alma mater Benedictine College, a position he held for 11 years before becoming the Executive Director of Elkhorn Soccer Club in Omaha, now the Elkhorn Athletic Association.
After immersing himself in coaching education, Herringer was asked to become an associate staff instructor for what was then the National Soccer Coaches Association Coaching Academy program where he taught dozens of courses for the organization. He was later appointed a National Academy Staff instructor, teaching upper level National and Advanced National diplomas, mentoring a new generation of coaches. It was his work at those events which caught the eye of senior staff and led to his nomination for the coveted Berticelli award.
The Berticelli Award will be presented at the association’s Awards Banquet on Friday, January 12, 2024, in conjunction with the 84th annual United Soccer Coaches Convention in Anaheim, California.