Charlotte, NC – Head coach Marcus DiBernardo of the Monroe University men's soccer team has been inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men's Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2024, the organization announced on Friday.

DiBernardo joins Jake Morris and Yazeed Matthews of Tyler College in the enshrinement class.

"I am humbled and honored by my induction into the Hall of Fame," DiBernardo said. "However, this award is really a testament to all the incredible student athletes, coaching staff, and administrators who I have had the privilege of working with over the years. The entire Monroe community should understand that this award is for them."

"Coach D has built an excellent soccer program over the course of his career," Monroe University Assistant Vice President and Athletic Director Lou Melendez said. "I have had the privilege of watching the development of said program firsthand. He has been able to get the best out of his players year in and year out. The proof is in the outcomes. It is not only about the winning culture, but also about the development of the players and where they move on from here."

DiBernardo has coached the Mustangs for 16 full seasons, compiling an impressive 193-36-21 (.814) record over that span. Most recently, the veteran coach reached the mountain top for the second consecutive season as Monroe defeated Tyler Junior College to win the NJCAA Division I National Championship.

The Mustangs won two playoff matches via penalty shootout before ultimately winning a third in the final against Tyler.

Prior to that, DiBernardo's Mustangs raised the national championship trophy twice — once in 2022 and another back in 2019.

In 2022, entering the national tournament as an at-large selection, the Mustangs rattled off two victories in pool play to advance. Then, in the semi-finals against Cowley College, DiBernardo's squad fought out of a 1-0 deficit to advance to the final, 2-1.

Against Arizona Western College, two second half goals were enough to put the Mustangs over.

For their hard work over the course of the season, DiBernardo and his staff were named the 2022 United Soccer Coaches Men's National Coaching Staff of the Year. Four players on that year's team were also named NJCAA Division I Men's Soccer All-Americans.

There is no shortage of impressive coaching feats from DiBernardo, who won the 2019 NJCAA Division I National Championship off the heels of a perfect 18-0 season. The year prior, he coached both Monroe's men's and women's teams, with the women hoisting the national championship in 2018 after a 16-0-1 campaign.

Under DiBernardo, the program has sent nearly 100 student-athletes on scholarships to NCAA schools such as Ohio State, NC State, UConn, Syracuse, CSU Bakersfield, Creighton, and many more.

DiBernardo began his coaching career as a teenager, coaching in the local soccer club that his father had founded. He later moved on to a successful playing and coaching career at Central Connecticut State. After his time at CCSU,

DiBernardo led numerous high school and club teams to earn titles throughout Connecticut and New York.

"I am truly happy for Marcus, his family, his coaches, and for all the players that have worn the Mustangs uniform under his tenure," Melendez said. "I feel proud of this very prestigious accomplishment for him. He is totally deserving of the achievement and honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame."

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 28 teams competing across nine sports. There are 20 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as the Monroe University marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeUMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).