Bi-weekly, Sports Information will report on a former Purchase College student-athlete and where the world has taken them these days. Today's “Where Are They Now?” … Former Purchase head men's soccer coach and staff member Matt Viggiano.

Purchase, NY (Jan. 26, 2013) – It's been nearly seven years since Matt Viggiano departed Purchase athletics for a chance to coach at the Division I level, and although he has been missed by the department, the former soccer standout turned coach has made a name for himself at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, after some valuable time as a Panther.  

Viggiano, who was the Intramural and Recreation Director and former men's soccer head coach at Purchase before joining Marist's staff, began his sixth year at his alma mater in 2012. Last year was a year to remember for Viggiano and the Red Foxes, as he saw Krystian Witkowski close his decorated career as the school's first-ever MLS draftee, when he was chosen by the Philadelphia Union in the Second Round of the Supplemental Draft.

“I love what I do,” said the 36-year-old Viggiano, who currently resides in Wappingers Falls, with his wife, Elizabeth, and daughters, Maia and Shae. “I had some terrific early head coaching experiences. To be a 24-year-old head coach after three years as an assistant before going back to being a head coach again at Purchase, says a lot about my moves up the chain. The game is a lot different at the DI level in terms of skill, but when I decided to leave Purchase, the move to Marist reaffirmed my desire to be a DI head coach.

“I am a very competitive guy,”  added Viggiano. “Competition drives me. It means a lot to me that there are only a few more than 200 DI programs in the country and I have the opportunity to lead one of them. Purchase and all of my early positions has played a big part in my development and where I am today.”   

Marist men's soccer has certainly come a long way since Viggiano took over. In addition to Witkowski's notable successes, freshman Matt Wendelken became the first-ever Marist athlete to represent the school on the U.S. level as he participated at the U.S. Under-20 National Team Camp.

As Viggiano's recruiting efforts started to pay dividends, it was no surprise that following two consecutive seasons of .500 soccer, the Red Foxes finished their 2011 campaign with an 8-7-5 record as many of his recruits started to blossom. The 2011 campaign ended with an appearance in the MAAC Tournament Semifinals, according to the Marist SID department and its website (goredfoxes.com).

“I truly believe I have the best job in the world,” said Viggiano, who jokes about being able to wear shorts every day. “I travel the country and watch up-and-coming players play the game I love. Then, I have the chance to sell them on playing at Marist, my alma mater. It's not an easy job. It's really a seven-day a week position. I'm constantly working. But I hope that I'm changing the lives of the young men I work with, teaching life lessons, and that perhaps some time down the road, they'll look back and remember what I was able to impart to them about the game and about life.”

In November 2006, Viggiano became just the third coach in Marist men's soccer history, replacing his mentor Bobby Herodes. He began his coaching career serving under Herodes and helped to form the nucleus of the first Marist team to qualify for the NCAA tournament in 2000. His coaching experience includes two stints as an assistant at his alma mater (1998-99, and 2002-05), as well as stops as the head coach at Marywood University and Purchase, and assistant positions at Iona and Elmira colleges.

Viggiano earned a Bachelor's degree in American Studies from Marist in 1999 and a Master's in Health and Physical Education, with a concentration in Sport Management from East Stroudsburg University in 2003. The Mamaroneck NY native holds National and Advanced National diplomas from the NSCAA and has coached extensively at the club level, in addition to his experience with the Olympic Development Program.

“My goal is to win a national championship some day,” Viggiano said. “If I can say that I graduate all of my players and that I've been successful on the field and off, as well as in the classroom, what more I can ask for?”

Viggiano's drive really began as a player in his youth, which eventually translated to a career in the college ranks and later professionally. Viggiano began his collegiate playing career at the University at Albany, where as a freshman starter he spearheaded the Great Danes to a national ranking and a berth in the NCAA tournament. Viggiano played for the Red Foxes from 1996-1998, and was a two-year starter and team captain. His playing experience includes stints in the Semi-Professional Cosmopolitan League, as well as being an eight-time member of the Hudson Valley's men's soccer team at the Empire State Games. His squads have taken home two gold medals, along with two silvers, and two bronze.

In addition to their continued maturation on the field, the Red Foxes have excelled in the classroom. The team has received the NCAA public recognition award in 2008 and 2009, placing them in the top-10 percent of all men's soccer programs in the country. The squad has also garnered two ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District Awards, as well as amassing over 40 MAAC All-Academic Team selections and one 1st Team Academic All-American.

Viggiano also contributed to Purchase's growth before his departure from the college, and like his team at Marist, the Panthers as a program have come a long way, boasting 16 intercollegiate varsity teams, most of which are advancing to postseason play and competing annually for conference championships.  

“Having a former head coach and employee advance their career to the DI level is a big feather in our cap,” said Purchase College Athletic Director Chris Bisignano, who worked with Viggiano during his time at Purchase. “He helped our transition and we feel we did the same for him. Matt is a great guy and a shining example of the types of coaches and staff our program produces. We're very excited to say that Matt Viggiano was one of our own, and happy that he has had continued success beyond his time here at Purchase.”  

-Marist Sports Information Contributed to this article