Plotkin welcomed back as Depaul asst coach

Plotkin welcomed back as Depaul asst coach
March 27, 2012
One of DePaul's very own is coming back home to help restore a winning tradition to the Blue Demon men's soccer program.

Former standout midfielder Mark Plotkin has been named assistant coach after spending the last two seasons as the Director of Operations for Northwestern men's soccer.

Plotkin was a four-year starter for DePaul coach Craig Blazer and finished his career in 2009 tied for fifth all-time in games started as a Blue Demon. He was an integral part of the most successful men's soccer class in school history.

"It's an amazing thing, this opportunity to come back so quickly after playing at DePaul less than three years ago," Plotkin said. "I couldn't have been more excited.

"When coach Blazer told me I had the job, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I started texting and calling everybody. It was an awesome feeling."

Plotkin and classmates Steffen Vroom and Patrick Hopkins helped lead DePaul to four consecutive appearances in the BIG EAST Championship tournament, including final four appearances in 2007 and 2008.

Plotkin was a driving force behind the Blue Demons winning their first BIG EAST Red Division title and earning their first appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2007.

"I know what it will take to get the program back to the BIG EAST semifinals," Plotkin said. "There's a ton of talent here. The offensive fireworks ---these guys had no problems scoring goals last season. With Tony (Antonio Aguilar) and David Selvaggi up front, we didn't have that kind of firepower when I was playing."

What Plotkin, Hopkins, Vroom and their classmates had was a special quality that allowed them to evolve into a gritty band of overachievers.
"I'll try to impart that overachieving mentality by sharing my experiences with the players," Plotkin said. "Our recruiting class wasn't exactly the most highly touted in the country. And yet, we won more games than anyone else in DePaul history.

"In 2007, we were picked to finish last by the BIG EAST coaches and ended up winning the BIG EAST Red Division title. We just had a group of guys that believed in each other, trusted one another and did not care what others in the BIG EAST thought of us."

Blazer couldn't be more pleased with the newest addition to his staff.

"I am thrilled with Mark's return, and he was absolutely the right choice at the right time," Blazer said about the four-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team honoree. "At Northwestern, he gained valuable coaching experience working with a successful program.

"We're looking forward to Mark implementing what he learned while playing here along with his new ideas from Northwestern. He is going to help get DePaul back to the winning program he played on from 2006 through 2009."

Blazer remembers the steadying influence and leadership Plotkin brought to men's soccer as a two-year captain. He will never forget Plotkin's game-winning goal against Pittsburgh in the first round of the 2008 BIG EAST tournament.

"He did whatever was necessary to be successful and knew what it took to make his teammates around him better players," Blazer said. "Mark will bring back to DePaul his true passion for the game and a tremendous desire to win.

"We know Mark will make a successful and immediate transition with fellow coaches, players, administrators and alumni. Being from the Chicago area, he will also be an outstanding recruiter locally and throughout the Midwest.

"His youth provides balance for our staff and will serve myself and the team well. When I recruited him, he could have gone to other schools. He chose to come here and turn DePaul into a winning soccer program."
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