Northwestern University Athletics
Erik Ronning Named Head Coach at Colgate
7/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
July 5, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern associate head coach Erik Ronning has been named the head men's soccer coach at his alma mater, Colgate. The announcement was made today, July 5, by Colgate Athletics Director Dave Roach.
Ronning, the first full-time assistant coach in the history of the Northwestern men's soccer program, spent four seasons with the Wildcats. Following the 2003 season, he was promoted to the position of associate head coach.
"I cannot say enough about Erik and the job he did while he was here," Northwestern head coach Tim Lenahan said. "We came here at the same time four years ago to build this program into something special and I can truly say that Erik's hard work, personality, energy and passion for Northwestern soccer over that time was one of the key reasons for our success.
"He will be greatly missed by myself, the players and the entire Northwestern community. While I am very happy for him with this special opportunity to coach at his alma mater, I am going to miss having a great coach and my good friend with the program."
Ronning is Lenahan's third assistant to earn a Division I head coaching position. Previously, Dennis Bohn at Lafayette and Fernando Barboto at Iona received top positions. Additionally, Lenahan's former assistant at Richard Stockton College, Jeff Haines, won the 2001 NCAA Division III national title at the school.
Ronning coached three games for the Wildcats in 2003 during Lenahan's leave of absence; the team recorded a 2-1 record against Penn State, Duke and Loyola in those three contests. NU finished that campaign at 7-7-6, its first .500 season since 1988.
"I would like to thank Northwestern and head coach Tim Lenahan for giving me the opportunity to work at such a fabulous institution and have been very fortunate to be surrounded by a wonderful group coaches, players, administration and support staff at the University," Ronning said. "The relationships I have developed will make it difficult to leave, but I am extremely excited to be headed back to my alma mater and for the challenge that awaits at Colgate."
In his first season after being named associate head coach, Northwestern put together its best-ever season, recording a 15-6-2 record and qualifying for its first NCAA Tournament where it advanced to the second round.
Ronning served as the recruiting coordinator for the Wildcats and also was the assistant director of Northwestern's summer camps. He was instrumental in recruiting each of the last three classes, which provided the nucleus for the program's rapid ascension in the Big Ten and nationally. His classes included two freshmen All-Americans in Gerardo Alvarez and David Roth. Alvarez also was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2003.
This will be Ronning's second coaching stint at Colgate. He served as the top assistant for the Red Raiders for the four years prior to his arrival at Northwestern. During that time, he presided over all aspects of recruiting, off-season workouts and individual training sessions. Ronning also was the faculty liaison to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
Ronning graduated from Colgate University in 1996 with a degree in history. A four-year starter for the Red Raiders, Ronning earned All-Patriot League first-team honors in 1996. He was also named captain and Team MVP during the 1996 season.
Ronning holds an NSCAA Advanced National diploma as well as his A license from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). He is a member of the Region 2 Olympic Development Program staff and a scout for the Adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP), which is the premier recruiting event in the country for only the top 150 players in the United States. Ronning also worked with Chicago Sockers FC, one of the elite youth club programs in the country.
During his last stay at Colgate, Ronning coached in the New York State West Olympic Development Program, where he was responsible for selecting and coaching the under-15 (1999), under-17 (2000) and under-14 (2000-01).
