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John Birkelbach tabbed to build MSU soccer program
By Dave Morrison
Sports Editor
He’s doing just that.
The Beckley native, who led Bluefield (Va.) College to a national soccer title last year, was tabbed as coach of the new Mountain State University program, which will begin play this fall.
“It’s a great opportunity for me,” Birkelbach said Friday. “One of the things I loved was the opportunity to come home and be part of the community again. I’m looking forward to it. Soccer has really taken off here in Beckley, and with the university starting a program, I look for it to really explode.”
Birkelbach, who holds an MBA from the University of Charleston, will also serve as assistant athletic director at MSU.
His hiring was a no-brainer for MSU, Athletic Director and head basketball coach Bob Bolen said.
“He had a great reference from Tommy Brown, who was the A.D. at Bluefield College,” Bolen said. “He was a college player, he has head coaching experience and he did a great job recruiting at Bluefield. I’m sure he’ll build a competitive program. He’s young, energetic and knows the game. I have confidence that he’ll do a tremendous job.”
Birkelbach, who played and was a graduate assistant at the University of Charleston, led Bluefield to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association national title last season.
Getting local talent will be key for the former Woodrow Wilson standout, who captained the 1997 team that lost 1-0 to Parkersburg in the state title game. Birkelbach grew up in the Beckley YMCA playing soccer.
“Definitely. That’s something I made of point of doing when I was at Bluefield,” Birkelbach said. “Most kids know where they’re going at this point, but the door is open. I’ve already talked to several kids in the state.”
He said a strong international flavor will also be a part of the team.
“We’ve had international students here who have been playing soccer (for fun),” Birkelbach said. “It’s something the students have wanted. So, in that respect, it’s not like we’re starting from scratch.”
Birkelbach also played two seasons with the West Virginia Chaos, a semi-pro team based in Charleston.
Birkelbach is still assembling a schedule but has used his West Virginia Conference contacts to sign games with Charleston, WVU-Tech and new WVC member Seton Hill. The Cougars will also play in a tournament in Lynchburg Sept. 8-9, facing Lynchburg and Guilford College, and will play Ferrum College.
“I just want to thank coach Bolen and (MSU president) Dr. (Charles) Polk for the opportunity,” Birkelbach said. “I look for coach Bolen (who built the nationally ranked MSU basketball program from scratch) to be a mentor to me and hopefully we can build a program that will make the community proud.”
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