University of Connecticut Athletics
Bacher Named Men's Soccer Assistant Coach
2/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 10, 2009
STORRS, Conn. (February 2, 2009) - University of Connecticut men's soccer head coach Ray Reid has announced the hiring of Kevin Bacher as the Huskies' new assistant coach. Bacher moves from the team's goalkeeping coach into the position vacated by former assistant coach Paul McDonough.
"Paul McDonough is an outstanding coach and by far the best recruiter in college soccer. He will be sorely missed by our program," said Reid. "Kevin has worked very closely with Paul and will benefit from his involvement with him. Kevin is a young, ambitious and driven coach who will do a great job for us."
Bacher will continue to assist in all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the program with a particular focus on recruiting.
Bacher will enter his eighth season with the Connecticut men's soccer staff in 2009, while under his tutelage the past seven years as a UConn goalkeeping coach, Husky standout Josh Ford enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2007 as a freshman. He finished the season in a tie for first in all-time in wins (20) and second in shutouts (14) in a single season, while being named to the Third Team All-BIG EAST and earning BIG EAST Tournament Defensive MVP recognition.
Prior to working with Ford, Bacher guided Adam Schuerman through his four-year career at UConn. In his senior season in 2005, Schuerman became the school leader in shutouts with 38 and tallied the second-most wins (52) in program history. In addition, Schuerman flourished nationally under Bacher's guidance, moving up to No. 2 in the NCAA in shutouts (14) and No. 3 in GAA with a 0.56 average.
In addition to his work training the goalies the past seven years, Bacher has helped with team travel arrangements as well as handling the men's soccer team's budget. He also played an integral role in the team's outreach initiatives, working closely with UConn's marketing staff to bring in fans through various promotions and activities.
One of the many contributing forces behind the increased fan base is the formation of "The Goal Patrol." Over the past four seasons, Bacher has created and expanded this student-based support organization that now has over 900 members.
Outside of UConn, he is the Director of Coaching for the Northeast United, a premier soccer club in Connecticut, as well as the Assistant Director of the Ray Reid Soccer School.
Prior to moving to Connecticut, Bacher spent one season as the assistant coach at Cornell in 2001 following four years as the starting goalkeeper at Syracuse. At Cornell, Bacher worked with the corps of goalkeepers, while also assisting in recruiting and scouting. During that time, he also served as the head goalkeeper coach for the 2001 Eastern New York State Olympic Development Team.
During his four-year playing career at Syracuse, Bacher was named the preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year in 2000, and was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team in the postseason of that year. A two-time team MVP in 1999 and 2000, Bacher was also chosen to the NSCAA All-Northeast Regional Team as a senior.
In 1999, he was a member of the New Jersey Imperials, and he played for the Grand Rapids Explosion in 1997. During his high school career at St. John the Baptist on Long Island, he was a member of the Region I Olympic Development Team in 1995 and 1996, and he was on the Eastern New York State Olympic Development Team in 1993 and 1996.
Bacher graduated from Syracuse in 2003 with an undergraduate degree in geography.
