The SUNY Cobleskill Department of Sport & Exercise announced today that Bryan Cronkite has been named the Fighting Tigers Head Women's Soccer Coach for the 2015 season. Cronkite had been serving as the Interim Director of Soccer Operations and Interim Women's Head Soccer Coach overseeing the day-to-day operations of both the men's and women's soccer programs since March of 2015 when he replaced Director of Soccer Operations Chris Curran who passed away unexpectedly in February.

Prior to assuming his new position, he had served as the Fighting Tigers: Assistant Men's Soccer Coach from 2011 thru 2014, the Assistant Women's Soccer Coach in 2014 and as the Assistant Women's Softball Coach in 2015. The Fort Plain, N.Y. native was also an Assistant Men's Basketball Coach during the 2006 and 2007 seasons for the Fighting Tigers and has served as an Adjunct Lecturer in Cobleskill's Department of Sport & Exercise since 2010.

The new Fighting Tiger mentor is a product of SUNY Cobleskill studying Early Childhood Education through 1996 prior to transferring to SUNY Plattsburgh where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Degree in 1999. He subsequently earned his Master of Curriculum Development and Instructional Design Degree from the University at Albany in 2003. In 2008 he earned his New York State Professional Certification in Physical Education after completing state mandated coursework through the SUNY Cobleskill Department of Sport & Exercise.

A 1994 graduate of Fort Plain High School in Fort Plain, N.Y., Cronkite played soccer for the Hilltoppers as well as basketball during his high school athletic career.

Cobleskill Director of Sport & Exercise Kevin McCarthy believes that his new head coach has a number of valuable qualities and the experience needed to rebuild the women's soccer program.

"Bryan Cronkite is an extremely positive person who is a tireless worker with great organization skills. He is also a Cobleskill alumnus who has a great affection for our college and what it stands for as an educational institution. His experience working in our department over the years in a number of different capacities also means that he will require very little time to get acclimated to operating policies and procedures. In Bryan, we believe that we have someone who can change the culture of our program and begin to put us on the path to success."

In his opening statement coach Cronkite spoke of what he wants to bring to the program this season and in the future.

"Being a Cobleskill alumnus, I want to personally bring more enthusiasm and energy to our program. We need to instill in our players a sense of commitment, dedication and loyalty to our team and the college. Cobleskill is a great place and I am looking forward to rebuilding women's soccer into a contender again."

Cronkite succeeds Diana Niland who posted a 25-69-4 overall mark including a 20-37-3 record in North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) play in her six seasons. He becomes the fifth head coach in the history of the women's soccer program.

In addition to his coaching duties, he will serve as the athletic program's Director of Campus Recreation and work in the areas contest management and athletic promotions.