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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 16, 2025) - United Soccer Coaches has announced the selection of John Fitzgerald as the 2025 Mike Berticelli Excellence in Coaching Education Award recipient for his outstanding contributions to coaching education and his singular service to the game.
Fitzgerald becomes the 26th person to receive prestigious recognition from his peers. The award is named in honor of Mike Berticelli, the Association’s former Vice President of Education and men’s coach at the University of Notre Dame who passed away in 2000.
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“John embodies what the Berticelli Award is about and is truly deserving of this honor for his passion and dedication to coaching education,” said United Soccer Coaches President Paul Payne.
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Fitzgerald's extensive experience and dedication to soccer make him a prominent figure in the coaching community, particularly in the Long Island area where he continues to influence the development of young players and the growth of the sport.
Fitzgerald is a highly respected coach with over 35 years of experience spanning professional, collegiate, and youth soccer. He is currently the head coach of the American Soccer Club New York, a newly established team competing in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Fitzgerald brings an impressive depth of knowledge and a proven record of achievement to this position, having earned recognition throughout the Long Island-Metro New York soccer community.
Fitzgerald's coaching journey includes several notable roles:
- Associate Head Coach, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: In this role, Fitzgerald contributed to the team's six NCAA Division III tournament appearances, helping the program achieve a strong reputation and consistent performance.
- Director of Coaching, New York Cosmos: Fitzgerald was responsible for overseeing training and player development programs. He also served as assistant coach for Cosmos B, who captured the 2015 NPSL national championship.
- Head Coach, Long Island Lady Rough Riders: Under his leadership, the Lady Rough Riders won a national championship in the W-League, further establishing his credentials.
- Long-time coach in Eastern New York’s ODP program, including Boys Director of Coaching.
- Current head coach of East Region ODP Boys 2009 team.
Fitzgerald has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to coaching. He was named the 2004 NSCAA/Adidas Northeast Regional Assistant Coach of the Year and the 1997 Newsday Coach of the Year, as well as head coach of that years’ Umbro W-League All-Star select team His involvement in coaching education includes serving as the NSCAA State Director for Long Island and as a National Staff Instructor as well as a US Soccer coach educator. Fitzgerald's teams have accumulated significant successes, including a record of 228-100-20 at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy as well as multiple conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances. He also currently serves as the Sporting Director and Director of Coaching Education for the Long Island Junior Soccer League, overseeing one of the largest youth soccer leagues in the US, with approximately 50,000 players.
The Berticelli Award will be presented at the association's Awards Ceremony on Friday, January 16, 2026, in conjunction with the 86th annual United Soccer Coaches Convention in Philadelphia, Pa.
Editor's Note: We were fortuante to have met Mike a few times and go back 40+ years with Fitz.
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