NEW ROCHELLE, NY – First year Iona women’s soccer head coach Sarah Brady has announced that John Stalzer will be joining her staff as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2016 season.

As a new member of Gael nation, Stalzer thats that he is "truly energized and excited to begin working with this group of talented and fine young ladies and helping to lift them to new heights!”

A popular and highly successful veteran coach, Stalzer comes to New Rochelle with an outstanding record of success, and a proven talent for player development and team building.  His high school teams were nationally ranked powerhouse programs regularly producing collegiate level student athletes.  In just the past eight years alone, over 100 female players have progressed and entered the collegiate ranks who had been coached and mentored by Stalzer whether at the club, academy, or high school level.  

Stalzer has most recently been with St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School, serving as an assistant coach for the girl’s varsity program since January of 2011.  Located in West Islip, NY; the program accumulated a 54-22-9 record during his tenure and has consistently been a dominant force.  He was involved with duties regarding coaching, training and supervision of the top-25 nationally ranked program; they were 2014 finalists and 2013 League & State “AA” Champions (#14 in the U.S.).

Before his tenure with St. John the Baptist High School, Stalzer was with St. Anthony’s High School as an assistant coach.  The program has been a perennially ranked high school program, regularly ranked in the top 20 nationally, and as high as No. 2 in the United States.

From March of 2003 until April of 2008, Stalzer worked at Suny Maritime College as both an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s soccer programs.  There he worked on establishing the women’s program, and his was part of the men’s staff that was honored with the conference’s “Coach of the Year” Award three times (2004, ’06, ’07).

Stalzer was with Polytechnic University beginning in 1998 till 2002 serving as an assistant coach.  He also served as the acting Sports Information Director for the entire athletic department during the 2001-2002 season.

Additionally, he was a familiar face within the LIJSL and ENYYSA circles as a coach, trainer, and adult supervisor.  Over the years he has led and contributed to many top teams in New Hyde Park, Albertson, HBC, East Meadow, and Farmingdale Soccer Clubs.

Serving as the Vice President & General Manager for the U.S. Soccer Academy, Stalzer aided in administration and management of training programs, instructional clinics, summer outdoor & winter indoor camp programs, team training development, and head coach and registrar for U.S. Soccer Club Programs.

He has also had professional experience as the Vice President-Operation & Director of Indoor Training Center for the Long Island Rough Riders.

Stalzer has worked as a head coach for the Exceptional Senior Games from 2003-2011; he was part of a selection of annual staff who coach a player pool for team assignment and showcase match presentation to college coaches.  He has also been at the helm of various other Premier/Elite level girl’s teams within the Long Island Junior Soccer League and Eastern New York Soccer Association.

Raised in Queens, NY, Stalzer’s playing career, began with legendary boy’s side B.W. Gottschee, and continued while attending Christ the King High School and on through graduation from St. John’s University. 

Poised to contribute to all aspects of the Iona Women’s Soccer Program both on and off the field, Stalzer is prepared to utilize his extensive background and deep roots throughout the Metro NY & Long Island soccer community which will be a valuable asset and help to bolster the recruitment of qualified student athletes and the Iona brand overall.