Confidence, fun and pride wearing the blue, grey and white will be hallmarks of Case Western Reserve University soccer under Mike Pilger.

Pilger, formerly the coach of the Major Indoor Soccer League's Cleveland Force, has been named the second men's soccer head coach in school history. He has a tall task considering the Spartans haven't had a winning season in more than a decade.

"I think the guys are close, closer than most people think," Pilger said. "We are going to chip away at it by having fun, gaining confidence and, hopefully, by feeling like they have a chance to win in every match."

Pilger, 45, comes to CWRU after spending about a season and a half (2001-2002) as the head coach of the Force (Record: 17-30). Since leaving that position last October, he said he has seen anywhere from 100 to 150 job postings for college soccer coaches. He is grateful he only had to apply for one.

"I didn't think we were going to stay in Cleveland," Pilger said. "So I feel really lucky that one of the jobs I would be interested in opened up. I am really thankful for the opportunity to stay here."

Before his brief stint in professional soccer, Pilger was the head coach at the University of Rochester, which is a member of the same conference (University Athletic Association) as CWRU. After going 7-8-1 during his first year (1992) with the Yellowjackets, Pilger's teams qualified for the NCAA postseason in four of the next five years, three times finishing in the top ten. Pilger was 93-55-20 in nine seasons at Rochester.

In Pilger's first collegiate head coaching job, he inherited a Kenyon College team with nine straight losing seasons. Two years later (1990) Pilger was recognized as the Division III National Coach of the Year after leading the Lords to an 18-0-0 record and their first NCAA postseason bid. That team finished second in the nation that season, and Pilger finished his four-year career at Kenyon 57-13-3.

"We are pleased that Mike is joining our coaching staff," said CWRU Athletic Director David Hutter. "His reputation among his peers, successful winning record and plan to lead our team to success provide an outlook for a bright future for CWRU's men's soccer team."

The retiree

Pilger replaces Jerry Harbak, the first men's soccer coach in CWRU history (1970). Harbak was 147-290-10 in 32 seasons. He will officially retire as the men's soccer head coach and men's golf head coach, as well as a faculty member, next month.

Been there, done that

The CWRU men's soccer team, which finished 2-14 overall and 0-7 in the University Athletic Association this past season, has never won a UAA championship or had a UAA Coach of the Year, but their new head coach has done both. The University of Rochester under the direction of Pilger won three UAA championships (1993, 1995, 1997), and he was named UAA Coach of the Year two times (1993, 1997). His 1997 Yellowjacket team became the first in UAA history to ever attain a perfect association record (7-0-0).

Pilger's playing portfolio

Pilger attended Boston University where he was a captain and team MVP and won numerous soccer awards. He graduated in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in education His major was human movement, health and physical education. From there he went on to play six years in professional and semi-professional American soccer leagues and was selected as an All-Star four of his five seasons in the Lusitana American Soccer League, the premier outdoor league in the United States at the time.

Pilger's personal

Pilger's wife, Kristina, and their two sons, Cameron and Charlie, reside in Aurora, Ohio.