Colgate University Athletics

Head women's soccer coach Kathy Brawn has announced the hiring of Brett Sarsfield as assistant coach in July 2015.

"I am so happy to be welcoming Brett Sarsfield to Colgate University and our women's soccer program," Brawn said. "Brett brings with him a passion for the game, a thorough understanding of the various styles of play, and a strong desire to help our team and each player soar to great heights. His experience with athletes and coaches across a broad range of professional and collegiate teams will be an asset to the Raider soccer program.

"He is adept working with both goalkeepers and field players, making him a versatile trainer. Equally important is the fact that Brett respects and appreciates the academic environment and opportunities that exist for all Colgate students."

What They Are Saying About Brett "Brett is a passionate coach who is driven by a desire to help athletes be successful both on and off the field. His experience in the women's game spans all levels from club to college to semi-pro to professional. All of these experiences have provided him a great knowledge of the game and many different perspectives on coaching. Working alongside Brett, I have seen first-hand his ability to develop players, as well as how much he cares for them. I know Brett will put his heart and soul into this new opportunity at Colgate. " Michelle Myers - Current Head Coach Loyola Marymount University (West Coast Conference) and Cal South ODP Coach since 1996 "Brett is a super bright coach with a true thirst and passion for the game. His knowledge is extensive, his tactical and functional acumen are first class, and he knows how to get the best out of his players. He ensures every detail is covered and provides a learning environment that players can thrive in." Paul Riley - Current Head Coach Portland Thorns (NWSL) "Brett is truly well versed in the game. He's positive, adaptable, creative and a fantastic manager of people. He is very intuitive and incredibly easy to talk to. When football is a challenge I can still rely on him to be honest and constructive, even from the other side of the pond. His enthusiasm is infectious and somehow he always finds a way to put a smile back on my face and help me enjoy the game again. I'm confident that Brett will thrive at Colgate, and I know he'll also provide players with a great experience and valuable lessons to help prepare them for their lives after University as well." Karen Bardsley - Goalkeeper for England Women's National Team -- FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Third Place and Manchester City Women's FC -- Reigning FA WSL Cup Champions. [Previously with SkyBlueFC of WPS] "Congratulations to Colgate University on the hiring of Brett. He brings a wealth of experience from a variety of posts at the collegiate and professional levels. As a journeyman and consummate student of the game, Brett brings keen insight for the women's game and he will be a very good complement to Kathy Brawn. I'm sure the players will enjoy his technical work, eye for detail, and nurturing demeanor. I wish Brett, Kathy and the Colgate team every success in the coming seasons." Tom Durkin - Current Head Coach Boston Breakers (NWSL) and U.S. Soccer National Instructional Staff since 1995

Sarsfield, a native of Upstate New York, joins the Colgate staff with a decade of Division I coaching experience as both an assistant and head coach. In addition, he also has been involved in coaching at the club, semi-professional, and professional levels of the women's game.

"I have always respected Kathy as not only a coach but also as a person," Sarsfield said. "The long-standing success of the women's soccer program here at Colgate under her leadership speaks volumes, and that was only further solidified by spending time on campus.

"After speaking with administrators, professors, and even support staff that I met on my visit, it was clear that this is not only an institution that is merely about the balance of academics and athletics, but rather the expectation of excellence in both. Between the world-class private liberal arts education, brand new athletic facilities, and overall support for students, is one of the best places in the country to be a women's soccer student-athlete.

"I can't think of a more exciting, dynamic, or competitive environment to be in, and I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes right away."

Working With Top Talent
After spending four years in Southern California and three years in the New York City area, Sarsfield most recently was on the women's soccer coaching staff at Cornell. He was part of a six-win improvement during his first season with the program.

Prior to his time at Cornell, Sarsfield, a USSF "A" Licensed coach, served as an assistant coach at the professional level with Sky Blue FC of the Women's Professional Soccer League.

During the 2011 season, Sarsfield worked with seven different players who represented their respective nations at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. Some of those players were from both the England and Swedish national teams, as well as Tobin Heath and Heather O'Reilly from the current 2015 World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team.

During his time in New Jersey, he also served as head women's soccer coach at Saint Peter's. In his two-year stint at the helm, the team had the program's highest MAAC finish in 10 seasons as well as the most conference wins in 14 seasons. Sarsfield successfully recruited back-to-back All-Rookie All-Conference players in those two years, which occurred for the first time in program history as well.

The program's academic success also improved during Sarsfield's tenure, with the team earning NSCAA Team Academic Award honors in both seasons, by sporting an athletic department-best team GPA of 3.6.

Sarsfield spent the fall 2010 season at Iona working as an assistant coach with both the men's and women's programs. The men's team reached the finals of the MAAC tournament, and for the second time in his career he worked with a Hermann Trophy candidate.

West Coast Swing
Prior to coming back to the East Coast in the spring of 2010, Sarsfield spent the fall 2009 season on the men's coaching staff at Loyola Marymount. During that time, the program ended the regular season with a national RPI ranking of No. 15 in the country and hosted a first-round game in the NCAA tournament. In addition, the team had a program-record 10 All-WCC performers, including Hermann Trophy candidate and current Cruz Azul (Liga MX) midfielder Rafeal Baca.

In the previous two seasons with the women's soccer team at LMU, Sarsfield helped the program to back-to-back years of double-digit victories, including a school-record tying 12 wins in 2007. The Lions posted consecutive third-place finishes in the WCC and placed seven players on All-WCC teams both years.

In addition to his collegiate coaching, Sarsfield was a first assistant in 2007 for the Ventura County Fusion of the Women's W-League. At the time, it was the highest level women's league in the country. Several of those players went on to sign contracts and play in WPS (Women's Professional Soccer) as well as internationally in Europe.

Sarsfield started his collegiate coaching career at 21 years old, when he served as an assistant coach for both men's soccer and the women's water polo programs at Siena before moving out to California in 2006. During his time in California, he also served as a high school and club coach for multiple programs, including being a technical skills coach within the South Bay Soccer Club.

As a player, Sarsfield played two seasons at Manhattan and was voted "hardest worker" by his teammates in 2001. After transferring to SUNY Cortland in 2002, Sarsfield and the Red Dragons won the SUNYAC championship, received a ranking of 15th in the national polls, and ended the season with an appearance in the NCAA tournament. Sarsfield then represented the Adirondack Region as a participant in the Empire State Games.

Sarsfield also is an accomplished photographer who has covered major collegiate and professional sporting events. His photos of the MLS careers of David Beckham and Thierry Henry, as well as Lionel Messi of Argentina and Neymar Jr. of Brazil competiting in international matches, have appeared in publications around the world.