Keith Detelj couldn't remember a time when he was away from soccer in the fall.
He coached both soccer and lacrosse for six years, and played professionally for the Dayton Dutch Lions in the United Soccer League after starring as a two-sport athlete at Marist College.
However, since taking over the women's lacrosse program at State University of New York at New Paltz in 2017, Detelj has been looking to get back to coaching the game, and this season he finally will.
"I was definitely getting the itch to jump back into soccer season after my opportunity to be the head coach of the lacrosse team," Detelj said. "Although it was not in my plans to join the women's soccer program this year, the opportunity presented itself and I'm looking forward to having a successful season."
Detelj brings a prestigious resume to the Hawks women's soccer program, as he will serve as the assistant alongside first-year coach
Mike Eckberg.
"I love to coach and provide players with the ability to surprise themselves by smashing through what they thought was their potential," Detelj said. "I am very grateful for the opportunity Coach
Eckberg has giving to me to coach the game of soccer again."
Eckberg was very familiar with Detelj's background, and even before he was officially hired as the assistant to the women's program they had established a strong rapport since Eckberg was hired this past spring.
"I am very blessed for the opportunity that he is going to be working with our student athletes this fall," Eckberg said. "In terms of providing insight, scouting, he is a very good extension of me…. We feel that if we develop and work on their character and the integrity of the student athlete than it is just going to aid in the overall experience."
Along with being a first-team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) honoree in lacrosse for the Red Foxes, Detelj was also a four-time All-MAAC selection as a member of the soccer program.
During his tenure playing for the Marist men's soccer team, he helped lead the Red Foxes to their first two NCAA Tournament appearances in 2004 and 2005 where he was selected as the MAAC Tournament Most Valuable Player in both of those seasons.
As a Division I program, Detelj leads the Red Foxes in both career goals (36) and points (89).
Eckberg is looking forward to bringing along Detelj's drive and competitiveness that made him one of the most dominant players the Marist has ever had.
"The icing on the cake is that he is incredibly driven and ultra competitive," Eckberg said. "I think that is going to aid in our training environment and sideline behavior, just the overall demeanor of our program that we're striving for the next level. We have a lot of work to do, but it is definitely something all of us are prepared to do. We are ready to get out after it."
Prior to taking over the Hawks' lacrosse program, Detelj spent a season as the Nassau Community College women's soccer coach before heading back to his alma mater and joining the men's soccer staff as an assistant.
With Detelj back on the sideline and teaming up with Eckberg this fall, SUNY New Paltz women's soccer is looking forward to a promising 2017.
"Coaching men's and women's soccer at a collegiate level has kept me learning more and more each year," Detelj added. "Familiarity will also help since many soccer players will know my athletes or myself from the lacrosse team or passing by on campus, so they know I am definitely invested in helping the New Paltz Hawks get better."
