Craig Wilkinson Named Head Soccer Coach
April 8, 2016
North Bridgton, ME – Bridgton Academy is proud to announce the appointment of Craig Wilkinson as Head Soccer Coach.
Wilkinson joins Bridgton Academy on the heels of three seasons as Men’s Head Soccer Coach at Colby Sawyer College in New London, NH, where he led the Chargers to a 13-7-2 record and the top seed in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) tournament with a 7-1-1 record. The Chargers also made a second straight appearance in the ECAC Tournament, as well as their first trip to the ECAC finals.
“We are very excited to announce Craig Wilkinson as our next Head Soccer Coach,” said Bridgton Academy Director of Athletics, Aaron Izaryk. “He brings with him a tremendous enthusiasm for the game, vast experience in recruiting at the college level and a tireless work ethic that will combine to move our program forward from day one.”
With Wilkinson at the helm, Colby Sawyer reached unscaled peaks of achievement; going from a five-win season in 2012 to a trip to the North Atlantic Conference Finals in 2013, as well as their first berth in the ECAC tournament since 2007. In 2014 the team had the most shutouts in one season in its history (10), and a seven-game winning streak to go alongside a nine-game unbeaten run.
“I’m extremely excited to be Bridgton Academy’s next Head Soccer Coach,” Wilkinson said. “I’m eager to bringing in not just soccer players, but a high level of student-athlete who will give everything they have in the classroom as well as on the field. I thrive on recruiting and I’m always looking to bring in the highest level of student athletes.”
Wilkinson received a BA in Psychology from Nyack College in 2006. Prior to his time at Colby Sawyer, the Walden, N.Y., native spent one season as assistant men’s soccer coach at Francis Marion University. Previous to that he was the head coach at Concordia College (NY) in 2011 and spent one year (2010) as an assistant coach at Centenary College and three seasons (2006, 2008-09) as an associate head coach at Dominican College. The Chargers captured one CACC title and advanced to the NCAA Division II national tournament twice during his time in Orangeburg, N.Y.
“Craig is an energetic, engaging individual who has had success in many places and we are very much looking forward to the success that lies ahead of him here in North Bridgton,” continued Izaryk. “Our athletic program is one built upon college level instruction, competitive & year long scheduling, academic monitoring and community involvement with a focus on college placement – Coach Wilkinson brings ability and desire in all these areas. The future is truly bright for Bridgton Academy soccer.”
Bridgton Academy’s mission is to provide a program for young men in a unique, one-year postgraduate environment to prepare for the competitive rigors of college and beyond.
