Men's soccer team
granted club status
Kovalchik and former varsity players
work out the details for new team

By Sue DePassio
Special to the Collegian

Endings often pave the way for new beginnings.
After an unexpected end to the Hillsdale soccer programs, junior player Tom Burke became motivated to counteract the cut. His efforts, in collaboration with those of other former players, sparked the formation of a men’s club soccer team to begin this fall.

“I wasn’t ready to give up soccer,” Burke said.
“A club team will give former varsity athletes the opportunity to compete again, and alongside other experienced players on campus.”

Through a series of meetings with Athletic Director Mike Kovalchik and members of the athletic department, Burke coordinated the logistics of the program. Tentatively, Burke plans to manage the team with coaching help from senior player Joel Hall.

The club team will use equipment, uniforms and other supplies left by the varsity soccer teams
Burke said practices would be held three to four times a week, with a total of eight games, mostly on the weekends.

As far as competition goes, Burke and Kovalchik have been contacting nearby colleges to organize a challenging schedule. Hillsdale will play club teams from Ferris State, Grand Valley State, Albion and St. Mary’s.

Sophomore Jay Wilson, who played varsity for one year as a freshman walk-on, said he was looking forward to the addition of a club soccer team at Hillsdale.

“I am definitely excited to get to play some soccer again,” he said. “Burke’s plan gives us guys a great opportunity to get back on the field.”

Wilson currently is among 12 players interested in joining the team.

Burke’s former varsity teammates also have been supportive of his efforts.

“In terms of Hillsdale sports, we are building the foundation for future club teams to emerge on campus, with particular hopes that soccer will eventually regain varsity status,” junior Sean Lanigan said.

The organization of the program is not complete, but Burke said he plans to continue his meetings with Kovalchik to work out the final details. The game schedule and travel arrangements are still coming together, while concerns about money are being discussed. Kovalchik, however, has assured some financial assistance.

Club soccer at Hillsdale is not an entirely new thing. Before soccer gained varsity status in the fall of 1998, the teams were club programs.

In 1997, Peter Fiorello was hired by the college as a club coach, with the intention that soccer would become a varsity program within a year.
Fiorello coached both the men’s and women’s varsity soccer teams in their inaugural year before Roy Miller took over in the fall of 1999.

Any experienced soccer players with interest in club competition should contact Thomas Burke at tpburke@hillsdale.edu.