December 1, 2010

Czlonka Named Head Coach

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. ---  Rob Czlonka, assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island, has been named men's soccer head coach at Northeastern State University, according to athletic director Jeff Konya.
 
Czlonka has been an assistant at URI for three seasons and will assume his duties at Northeastern State in the coming weeks.
 
"Rob has all the tools necessary to transform our men's soccer program into a regional and national power," said Konya. "His knowledge of the game, along with his extensive experience in NCAA programs, premier clubs and ODP teams, provides Northeastern State with a qualified coach who can lead this program to the high expectations we have for the RiverHawks.
 
"We are extremely excited to have Rob join our staff."
 
Prior to his stint with the Rams, Czlonka was an assistant for two seasons at Carnegie Mellon where he helped the Tartans to a pair of ECAC tournament appearances and an ECAC Division II South title. He also served as an assistant at Oberlin (OH) College.
 
Czlonka was co-captain of the soccer squad at Chowan (NC) University where he earned his bachelor's degree. He received his master's from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Penn., earlier this year.
 
He says he is ready to begin his duties at Northeastern State with lofty goals for the program.
 
"After meeting with the Northeastern State administration and the soccer team, I am very excited," said Czonka, a native of Newport News, Va. "There's a ton of potential and lot of skill from the members of last year's team. It appears there is a lot of support within the Athletic Department, so this is a program that has the potential to go very far.
 
"The main thing I will bring to campus is a model for our student-athletes to be successful in the classroom and on the field. We all will have a strong work ethic and this will translate into success as they advance in their soccer careers and in life."
 
With ties to a wealth of soccer contacts across the country, Czlonka believes his recruiting background will pay dividends.
 
"There's a lot of great soccer being played in Oklahoma, Texas and much of the Midwest," he said, "but there is a lot of talent leaving these areas. It is important we don't let that happen. I will work hard to bring local talent to Northeastern State. Then, we can bring in student-athletes from across the country and a few international players. This will assure a successful program."
 
Czlonka, who holds a "B" license from the United States Soccer Federation and an Advanced National Diploma from the NSCAA, is married. He and his wife, Lisa, have a son, Gabriel and will be welcoming a daughter in Spring 2011.

ROB CZLONKA FILE

  • Assistant Coach University of Rhode Island (2008-2010)
  • Assistant Coach Carnegie Mellon University (2006-2008)
  • Assistant Coach Oberlin College (2005-2006)
  • Rams FC Director of Coaching/Head Coach U13 and 16 Boys (2008-2010)
  • Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club Staff Coach (2004-2005)
  • Summer Camp Staff Coach
    • Notre Dame (2005-2010)
    • Georgetown (2006-2010)
    • Dartmouth (2010)
    • Penn State (2005-2007)
    • Rhode Island (2008-2010)
  • Olympic Development Program - ODP - Rhode Island (2009) & Hawaii (2004-2005)
  • Hawaii Baptist Academy Head Coach Varsity Boys Soccer (2002-2005)
  • Bachelor of Science Degree from Chowan University (May 1997)
  • Master of Science Degree from Duquesne University (August 2010)