NEWTON, Mass (8/12/14) - Lasell College Athletic Director Kristy Walter is pleased to announce the appointment of Burke Hazard as the new head men's soccer coach heading into the 2014 season. Hazard comes to Lasell after serving as an assistant at Dean College in Franklin, Mass. and has an extensive soccer background in New England.
"I am excited to have Coach Hazard join our coaching staff this fall." said Walter. "His experience at the Division III level along with his recruiting contacts throughout New England make him a great fit for our program at this time. I am looking forward to watching him lead the program this year."
After beginning his college career at Randolph Macon College, Hazard returned closer to home, playing his final three years at the University of Southern Maine where he earned his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science.
Hazard can't wait to get onto the pitch with his new squad, saying "I was immediately attracted to the Lasell College for many reasons. The soccer program has had great success in the past and has been on the rise as an up and coming power in the region. I love that Lasell has a great academic reputation and offers so many courses of study in such a beautiful location and the opportunity to collegiate head coach at a place that offered everything I was looking for is something I have been pursuing".
Hazard knows there will be challenges, but hasn't lowered the bar for himself or this year's team. "I have lofty goals and aspirations entering my first year at the helm of the men's soccer program. Our main goal on the field is to win the Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship and earn an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament. Off the field I have set a goal of a 3.0 team grade point average as I believe the academic side of being a student athlete is just as important for the success of these young men".
He began his coaching career, serving as an assistant at USM in 2010, before taking over as the boys' varsity coach at Belfast Area High School in 2011. Hazard worked as a club coach for Seacoast United and was also a member of the Maine U17 Olympic Development staff before heading to Dean for the 2013 season. While coaching at Dean, Hazard also served as the head coach of the Bayside FC Bolts U16
Dean College head men's soccer coach Jim Hopkins couldn't be happier for his former assistant, saying "Burke is a tireless worker who will do all the little things the right way. He will challenge his players and coaching staff to not just do things right on the field but also in the community. He will represent Lasell College in a way that faculty, staff and alumni will be proud of. Burke will be missed at Dean College by players and staff and we wish him nothing but the best."