Jonathan Garbar Named Head Coach of Franklin Pierce Women’s Soccer Program

RINDGE, N.H. (January 17, 2017) – Franklin Pierce University Director of Athletics Bruce Kirsh has announced Jonathan Garbar has been named the fourth head coach of the University's women's soccer program. Garbar has built an extensive résumé of success over five seasons at the junior college level at Monroe College in New York.

"I feel tremendously honored and privileged to have been granted the opportunity to lead the storied Ravens women's soccer program," said Garbar. "It is rare to find an institution and its leaders as committed to the academic, athletic and social development of its student-athletes, as Franklin Pierce University."

Rindge will be the first NCAA coaching stop for Garbar, who most recently spent five seasons as the head women's soccer coach at Monroe College. He took over in the program's first year after elevating to the Division I level of the National Junior College Athletic Association, and promptly rattled off a 72-7-4 record (.892 winning percentage). Garbar's tenure at Monroe was highlighted by a national title in 2014, as well as a national semifinal appearance in 2015, and back-to-back-to-back district and regional titles in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The 2014 national championship earned him National Coach of the Year honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

"I'd like to thank the entire search committee at Franklin Pierce for their impressive level of professionalism and engagement, in particular the legendary Mr. Bruce Kirsh," added Garbar. "His passion and commitment to the women's soccer program, and the institution it represents, are an inspiration and second-to-none."

Over his time at Monroe, Garbar coached seven NSCAA All-America selections, including four players who were selected to the First Team, highlighted by the 2014 National Player of the Year. He saw 31 of his former student-athletes advance from the junior college level to earn athletic scholarships at the NCAA level over his five years at Monroe. Further, Garbar was able to oversee the academic success of his program, which has posted a 3.4 grade-point average over the previous five years. Over his stint, he was able to procure student-athletes from countries spanning the globe, including Brazil, Paraguay, Spain, England, Japan, Sweden and Croatia.

"I am pleased and excited to welcome coach Garbar to the Franklin Pierce University Athletic Department and our family here in Rindge," said Kirsh. "His success, both on and off the field, at Monroe speaks for itself, and his passion for the sport is undeniable. I look forward to seeing where his drive and work ethic can lead our women's soccer program."

Garbar wore numerous hats, in addition to his coaching duties, during his time at Monroe. He served as the institution's Director for South American Recruitment from 2013-2015 and, prior to that, worked from 2010-2012 creating a program specifically targeted towards bringing international students to the College.

He was also the Director of Soccer and Player Development at the Asphalt Green Soccer Club. The Asphalt Green Soccer Club is a competitive, tryout-based youth soccer team for boys and girls in New York City. Their competitive soccer program is structured to help players excel and aspire to the highest level of competition and transition into collegiate soccer programs. Garbar continues to work closely with the player and coaching development of the club. 

"I'm humbled to become a part of this tradition at Franklin Pierce," continued Garbar. "I am committed to driving it to the next level, as well as promoting the standard of one of the most competitive conferences in the nation, the NE10."

From New Rochelle, N.Y., Garbar graduated from the University of Delaware in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts, before earning his master's in teaching from fellow Northeast-10 Conference member Pace University in 2007. An established coach at the academy level as well, he is the creator and director of New Era Soccer Academy, among various other ventures into the world of player development. Garbar will officially join the staff at Franklin Pierce on Feb. 1, and will embark on his debut season with the crimson and grey in the fall.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce softball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).