New Jersey City University Athletics

Veteran high school and club soccer coach Michael Vivino enters his third season as the 14^th head women’s soccer coach in New Jersey City University program history during the 2015-16 academic year. He was initially appointed to that position on May 20, 2013, succeeding Robert Bielan, the winningest coach in program history, the current head women’s soccer coach at Division I Saint Peter’s University.
 
In two seasons, Vivino’s teams have excelled academically and continue to improve on the pitch. For the third consecutive year and the fourth time in five seasons, the women’s soccer program received a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) College Team Academic Award. His players excelled academically both seasons he has served as head coach, most recently producing a combined 3.14 grade point average for the 2013-14 academic year
 
Meanwhile, two of his players have been voted to the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District First-Team, with Jessica Chandler receiving the plaudits in Fall 2013 and Cassie Lubonski in 2014. NJCU women’s soccer landed two All-New Jersey Athletic Conference performers and eight Academic All-NJAC selections, including two Academic First-Team choices (Brittany Hoffman, Cassie Lubonski).
 
Additionally, in Fall 2014 the NJCU women's soccer team claimed the NSCAA Silver Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award. NJCU was the only program, men's or women's in the NJAC, to claim a version of the College Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award and one of just 64 men's or women's programs in Division III.
 
In his first year in 2013, Vivino’s club, behind four-time All-NJAC goalkeeper Brittany Hoffman, ranked No. 1 in Division III in saves per game.  
 
Vivino is the present head coach of the U18 boys and U17 girls teams for the PASCO Soccer Club—one of the premier club teams in the state of New Jersey—an organization he has coached with since 2009. He previously coached the U16 and U17 boys and guided the U16 club to the 2009 Super Y League national finals in Florida. He began coaching the U17 girl’s in 2010. Since 2011, Vivino has also been the U14 girls head coach at the MLBTB Soccer Club (Mountain Lakes—Boonton Township—Boonton), guiding the team to the 2012 U14 MCYSA league championship. 

On the high school level, Vivino served as head girl’s soccer coach at Mountain Lakes High School from 2009-12. He also acted as assistant boys’ varsity coach at his alma mater, Wayne Valley High School, from 2005-09. The Indians won two Passaic County championships and one Northern Hills Conference title.
 
For eight years, Vivino has owned and operated the Metropolitan Soccer Academy, a full service soccer training company based in Wayne, NJ. Overall, dozens of his former club and academy players have gone on to play at the college, semi pro and professional levels. Meanwhile, his early childhood soccer program, ‘Kiddie Kickers,’ has introduced the sports to children as young as three.
 
Vivino possesses a USSF National ‘C’ License from the United States Soccer Federation and a NSCAA national diploma.
 
“We are pleased and excited to have Coach Vivino on board, and anticipate continued success for the program under his leadership,” said Alice De Fazio, Director of Athletics.
 
Vivino added: “I am honored that I was given this opportunity by Ms. De Fazio and the rest of the athletic department. It has been a goal of mine to coach a college program since I started coaching at the high school level eight years ago. NJCU has been moving in the right direction for a few years now and I am looking forward to helping that process along to eventually become one of the most competitive teams in the conference. My goals going forward include getting the girls to believe in a system that works and play with a sense of pride that the school can be proud to promote. We will play a good style of soccer that replicates the work ethic these girls will also show in the classroom.”
 
A January 2008 graduate of William Paterson University with a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Communications, he is a 2002 alum of Wayne Valley High School.
 
At Wayne Valley, Vivino played four seasons (1998-01), including three years on the varsity level for Coach Dan Kilday. A two-time All-County selection, he earned Second Team Honors as a senior in 2001 and Honorable Mention status in 2000. He also earned First-Team All-Northern Hills Conference accolades in 2001 and Second-Team All-Conference honors in 2000. He finished his varsity career with 54 total points, scoring 17 goals with 20 assists. Vivino, who was tabbed team captain as a senior, helped the Indians reach the 1999 and 2001 county finals while winning the 1999 conference championship. In all, he played in 11 county and five state tournaments games in three years. In high school he also played for the PASCO club he now coaches.
 
Vivino, 31, resides in Wayne, with his fiancee, Stephanie.


 

THE VIVINO FILE:

Head Women’s Soccer Coach, New Jersey City University, May 2013-present Head Coach, PASCO 2009-present Current: Head Coach, Boys U18; Previously: head coach U16 and U17 Boys Guided U16 club to 2009 Super Y League national finals Head Coach, PASCO U17 girls, 2010-present Head Coach MLBTB Soccer Club, U14 girls, 2011-present Led club to 2012 U14 MCYSA championship Head Girl’s Soccer Coach, Mountain Lakes High School, 2009-12 Assistant Boy’s Coach, Wayne Valley High School, 2005-09 WVHS won two Passaic County championships and one Northern Hills Conference title. Owner/operator, Metropolitan Soccer Academy USSF National ‘C’ License Graduated: William Paterson University, January 2008 (Major: History; Minor: Communications) Graduated: Wayne Valley High School, 2002 Played four seasons of soccer; varsity 1999-01 Two-time All-Passaic County and two-time All-Northern Hills Conference (2000, 2001) Team captain, 2001 Stats: 54 points, 17 goals, 20 assists Played in 11 county and five state tournament games; WVHS reached two county finals

GET TO KNOW COACH VIVINO
Hobbies/Interest:	Movies, every kind of music, family
Favorite part about coaching:	‘How the game is constantly changing’
Hero:	--
Favorite sports team:	Red Bulls, New Jersey Devils, Chicago Bears
Favorite song:	‘Jungleland’ by Bruce Springsteen
Favorite music artist:	Bruce Springsteen
Favorite movie:	Godfather
Favorite food:	Mom’s lasagna/chicken parm
Personal attributes:	“I am constantly surrounded by soccer every day of my life, from coaching, training, being a fan, playing or watching my niece and nephew play”…Is a huge New Jersey Devils fans…Ultimate goal is to coach at a top Division I college program, in the professional ranks, or work for US Soccer.