August 7, 2008

Rob Czlonka Joins Rhode Island Men's Soccer Staff

Aug. 7, 2008

KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island men's soccer head coach John O'Connor has announced that Rob Czlonka has joined the men's soccer staff as a volunteer coach for the upcoming season. Czlonka replaces Mitch Stone who was elevated to full-time assistant after the departure of Gareth Elliott. - who left URI to take on head coaching duties at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y.

"We are very excited about the breadth of experience Rob that brings to our staff," commented coach O'Connor. "I'm confident he will hit the ground running as he possesses great enthusiasm and knowledge of the game."

Czlonka spent the last two seasons in Pittsburgh, where he served as an assistant at Carnegie-Mellon University - a member of the University Athletic Association, which is widely regarded as the top NCAA Division III conference in the country. There, he was heavily involved in all aspects of the Tartan program including recruiting, on-field coaching, game management, scouting, video and match analysis, off-season conditioning and office administration and helped the Tartans to an ECAC Division III South Championship. He also coached with the International Football Club during the winter and spring.

Prior to his time at Carnegie Mellon, Czlonka was the assistant men's soccer coach at Oberlin College (Ohio). Before landing at Oberlin, he spent three seasons as head coach/coordinator of soccer at Hawaii Baptist Academy. He also served as a Hawaii Olympic Development Program (ODP) coach, and worked as an assistant with the Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club. He holds his "B" license from the United States Soccer Federation.

"Rob is going to be a great fit with our program and I know the players will embrace him from the get go" added O'Connor. "I have known him for a few years now, from coaching at the University of Notre Dame soccer camps. I've always had a great feeling about the direction he was heading in this profession and I'm confident he will be a tremendous addition to our coaching staff."

A team captain and three-year letter-winner at Chowan University (N.C.), Czlonka earned his undergraduate degree in 1997 and currently is pursuing his master's degree at Duquesne University.

In addition to his duties with the Rams, Czlonka will also serve as Director of Coaching for Rams Football Club, a premier youth soccer organization in the South County region of Rhode Island.

Czlonka currently resides in South County with his wife Lisa, who is completing a Masters in Business Administration at Carnegie Mellon.