George Added as New Men’s Soccer Coach
Paul Smiths, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College men's soccer team will have a new face behind the bench this coming season, as longtime head coach Zack Luzzi has stepped down to become the full-time Athletic Director at the college. In his place, Chris George has been chosen as Luzzi's successor, bringing with him 25 years of success at the youth club, High School and Collegiate levels.
George was at Green Mountain College, in Poultney, VT as the Head Mean's Soccer Coach until the college closed it's doors in 2019. While at GMC, George led an immediate turn around for the program, narrowly missing a berth in the NAIA National Tournament while logging more wins in his first season than in the program's previous 5 seasons combined. George's GMC teams featured an NAIA Independents All-League Goalkeeper, numerous NAIA Academic All-Americans, and a prestigious United Soccer Coaches College Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award. Prior to GMC, George was at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
As the Boys Head Coach at Middlebury Union HS, Coach George amassed 35 wins in 3 years, 2 Lake Division Championships (2022, 2023) and 3 trips to the state semi-finals. Both 2022 and 2023 are believed to be record setting years for goals scored and goal difference in MUHS 50 year program history. George's MUHS teams featured multiple All-State and All-Lake Division selections, and 2 Lake Division Player of the Year awards. George was also a 2-time Lake Division Coach of the Year Selection (2022, 2023) and in 2034 was named as an Assistant Coach on the 2024 VT Lions Cup team.
In 2021, George founded Monarch Soccer Club, based in Middlebury, VT, where he is currently the Director. Prior to founding Monarch SC, George coached at Queen City FC where he played a key role in Queen City FC's growth into one of the largest youth soccer clubs in VT, and before that he coached at Far Post SC, winning multiple VT State Cups.
"We're incredibly excited to welcome Chris to Smitty Nation," said Luzzi. "I've had the pleasure of both coaching against and playing for Chris and we can't wait to see the program grow under his watchful eye," he added.
A native of Penn Lake Park, PA, Coach George is a graduate of Crestwood HS. He eventually moved on to Green Mountain College, earning a B.A. in History. While playing soccer at GMC, George was named USCAA Academic All-America. George holds certifications from US Soccer and United Soccer Coaches.
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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.