For the first time since the 1980s, the Clarkson Men’s Soccer program will have a new head coach as the Golden Knights’ Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Nick Hillary for the 2009 season.

Hillary, who replaces Willi Steinrotter after a 19-year run as the face of the Golden Knights, spent the last two seasons as the top assistant coach for national power St. Lawrence University and becomes just the seventh coach in 57 years at Clarkson. A former player for the Saints, Hillary was a four-year starter and two-year captain for St. Lawrence, including the season in which the Saints had an unblemished mark of 22-0-0 en route to the 1999 National Championship. Over the course of his four-year career in Canton, Hillary’s teams went 62-7-7 with three NCAA appearances and he gained numerous personal accolades, including NSCAA All-American status in 1999 when he was named the Regional Defensive Player of the Year. He was picked for conference all-star status on three occasions and was a First-Team Regional All-American twice.

“Clarkson soccer has a great tradition and infinite potential thanks to coach Steinrotter," Hillary said. "I look forward to working with the the talented student-athletes in order to make our Clarkson Alumni and community proud."

"We are excited to have someone with Nick’s experience carry on the storied tradition of the Men’s Soccer Program," Clarkson Athletic Director Steve Yianoukos said. "I feel confident that with his knowledge of the game and his ability to attract top quality student-athletes to Clarkson, Nick will continue to build the program."

A native of Jamaica, Hillary competed with several teams in his home country including Excelsior High School, Pembroke Hall, and August Town. He graduated from Samuel J. Tilden High School (Brooklyn, NY) in 1993 and then spent just under three years in the United States Army. He completed his education in 2000 when he received his Bachelor’s of Science and Mathematics from St. Lawrence. Immediately following graduation, he spent a year as an assistant coach at SUNY Potsdam, and continued his coaching career at Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, FL, all while teaching high school mathematics. His coaching slate continued on from there as he coached numerous teams in the Sunshine State, including Tampa Bay Global United Soccer (2006-2007), Pinellas Park United Soccer (2005-2007), and Largo United Soccer Club (2003-2006), coaching younger players and advanced players at each stop.