Robert Friske begins his fourth season as Oswego State's men's soccer coach in 2008, and 13th overall as a collegiate varsity head coach. Friske, who previously worked at Keuka College and Norwich University, before joining the Lakers, sports a career record of 132-99-10, and has directed his teams to eight straight conference tournament appearances, six conference tournament championship appearances, and five conference titles.

  In 2006 led the Lakers to their first winning record in six years. Oswego State qualified for the SUNYAC and ECAC Upstate playoffs, and advanced to the semifinals of the SUNYAC tournament that year.

  Coach Friske is a 1991 graduate of Plattsburgh State, earning a degree in Business and a minor in Athletic Coaching. While at Plattsburgh, he was a four-year defender for the Cardinals. He later earned a Master's Degree in 1995 from SUNY Brockport, majoring in Athletic Administration. In 1995 he earned his national coaching license from the National Soccer Coaching Association of America.

  "My goal is to make Oswego nationally competitive. We have the ingredients to do that," the coach explained. "I encourage those interested in top-level collegiate soccer to look at Oswego State. Our school provides phenomenal educational and atheltic opportunities, and our soccer program is at its healthiest."

  Prior to becoming the head coach at Keuka College, Friske had a successful 10-year run at Norwich University in Northfield, Vt. and Keuka College. During his tenure at Norwich, he guided the team to three appearances in the NCAA Division III Championships along with three consecutive conference titles. In the 2001 season under Friske, Norwich compiled an impressive 21-1 record that included 13 shutouts and a trip to the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament. Friske was the conference Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2000.

  While coaching at Norwich, Friske was named Vermont's Most Outstanding Contributor by the Vermont High School Soccer Association. In 2003 and 2004 he guided Keuka College an overall record of 22 wins and 11 loses and two conference tournament appearances and championships.

  Active in the community and college, Friske teaches courses as part of a coaching minor offered by the college, has taught for the Sheldon Institute, and has directed soccer camps in New York and Vermont.

E-mail: rfriske@oswego.edu
Campus Phone: x4142

Assistant Coach Darren Wynne

  Darren Wynne begins his first season as Oswego State men's soccer assistant coach, and will also serve as volunteer goalkeeper coach for the Lakers women's soccer team.  A native of Dublin, Ireland, Wynne has played soccer since he was five years old, playing for Cherry Orchard F.C., one the premier youth clubs in Ireland, from the age of nine up to 18 years old. 

  A former Irish U-15, U-16, and U-18 international goalkeeper, Wynne earned 27 appearances (caps) for his country at the youth level.  He also played six years professionaly in Ireland with the Sligo Rovers and Home Farm (Dublin City FC) in the Eircom National Premier Division and Division I Leagues.

  From 2003-2005, Wynne served coaching stints with St. Alban's City F.C. and their Mid-Week Youths team, who played in the FA Youths Cup before taking an assistant coaching job with the first team with great success in the National Conference's South Division.

  Wynne, 30, holds an FAI Senior Coaching License, a Level 2 FAI Goalkeeping License, a B Level Licence from the UEFA, a National C License from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and an Advanced Regional Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).  He is also a part of the NYS West Youth Soccer Association Olympic Development Program (ODP) coaching staff and a NYS West Youth Soccer Association instructor for the State E Coaching License.

  In 2007, Wynne served as boys junior varsity head coach at Liverpool High School in Central New York. He also coaches in the area with CNY United as head coach of the boys U-16 elite team which was ranked 55th in the nation, and the U-15 girls premier team. Wynne also coaches locally in the Oswego area, helping with the Oswego Youth Soccer Association.

E-mail: dwynne@oswego.edu
Campus Phone: x4142