| Fred Balbino | ||
 |
Title | Head Men's Soccer Coach |
| fbalbino@charter.net | ||
| Phone | (413) 205-3595 | |
Fred Balbino recently completed his ninth season as the head coach of the American International College men’s soccer program.
In 2006, the Yellow Jackets recorded their third straight regular season at .500 or above, posting an 8-8-2 mark. AIC posted victories over Merrimack and Southern New Hampshire, teams that were nationally ranked during the 2006 season, and at 4-0 got off to the program's best-ever start. The Yellow Jackets also finished with a 5-1-1 home mark, the lone blemish coming in a 1-0 loss to No. 2 Franklin Pierce.
In 2005, under Balbino's tutelage, the Yellow
Jackets enjoyed the finest season in the
history of the program. AIC won a school-record 11 games and
capped off the season with a thrilling 1-0 win over C.W. Post in
the ECAC Division II championship game for the program's first-ever
postseason title. Among the other highlights were the
first-ever win against perennial power Southern New Hampshire and a
1-1 tie with then-No. 6 Southern Connecticut. The Yellow
Jackets also qualified for the Northeast-10 Tournament for the
third time in program history.
In 2004, Balbino guided the Yellow Jackets to just their third-ever postseason berth, as they were selected to the ECAC Division II Tournament. The eight victories matched a school record, while AIC got off to its best start since 1967 by winning its first three contests. The Jackets were ranked as high as No. 7 in New England. Three players were also named All-Northeast-10 performers, and Kevin Ryan was selected to play in the NEISL All-Star Game.
In 2003, senior Rodney Perry was also a First Team All-New England selection and selected to participate in the NEISL All-Star Game under Balbino's tutelage. Balbino has compiled a 64-90-8 mark in nine seasons.
Balbino first came to AIC in 1996 as an assistant before taking over the head coaching reins the following year elevating the the Yellow Jackets to one of the premier programs in the Northeast-10 Conference. Balbino led AIC to back-to-back Northeast-10 Tournament appearances in 1999 and 2000, the first postseason berths in the history of the program. The Jackets recorded a then-school record eight victories in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Balbino, a 1994 graduate of Westfield State College, earned his degree in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing his Masters Degree in Criminal Justice Administration at AIC.
ASSISTANT COACH