MORRISVILLE, NY – Morrisville State Athletics Director, Greg Carroll, has announced the hire of Amir Pasic as the head women's soccer coach for the upcoming 2019 season.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone at Morrisville State for the warm welcome," Pasic said. "Everyone I have crossed paths with so far has been so kind, and gracious, making Morrisville State feel like home from the moment I stepped on campus."
"It is an incredible honor to be named the women's soccer coach at Morrisville State. Amanda Gagliano has done a phenomenal job creating a strong culture and pursuit of excellence within the program, I feel honored to have been selected as her successor and look forward to moving the program forward."
"Since Amanda Gagliano arrived at Morrisville three years ago, the program has improved in all ways," Carroll said.
"We've become more competitive by breaking into recruiting from top tier level High School and club programs; our team grade point average has improved and women's soccer has been leading the way in service initiatives within the community."
"With the hiring of Amir as her successor, I am certain the program will continue to move forward very positively with the same focus on competitive success, character and integrity, academic achievement and service to the campus and community," Carroll continued.
"Amir has demonstrated a remarkable work ethic at each position he has held, and we're thrilled to have him join the Mustang family."
Pasic comes to Morrisville State from Middlebury University where he was a part of the coaching staff this last spring, where he was responsible for the organization and execution of player identification clinics along with training sessions and video analysis.
Prior to joining the Panthers staff, Pasic served as a graduate assistant coach for his alma mater, Castleton, for three seasons. During his time on the sidelines with the Spartans, Pasic assisted in guiding the squad to its first North Atlantic Conference (NAC) championship title since the 2008 season, as Castleton made an appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
Along with his duties as assistant coach that included coordinating team travel, academic oversight and recruiting, Pasic also worked closely with Aaron Parker who received first team all-conference honors, NAC Tournament MVP honors in 2017 as the Spartans goalkeeper, earning the selection to the New England Intercollegiate Soccer League All-Star game.
Before returning to his home state of Vermont, Pasic also enjoyed a stint with the men's and women's program at Hendrix College in Arkansas, where he also worked as a staff and goalkeeper coach for the Arkansas United in the spring 2016.
Pasic had a stellar collegiate career in net, playing for the University of Central Arkansas, before finishing out his playing career at Castleton University. He played three seasons in Conway, starting his freshman year.
A starter for the Spartans in goal his final collegiate season, he currently holds the college record for single-season wins (14), while ranking second in shutouts (8). He is also the school's all-time leader with a 0.88 goals against average.
Pasic was voted the North Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, named to the ECAC All-New England First Team and was selected to play in the NEISL Senior All-Star classic. He was also named the ECAC New England Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Spartans to a semi-final appearance in the New England ECAC tournament.
Following time with Hendrix, Pasic returned to Vermont where he has been an active contributor to the Vermont soccer scene, serving as a staff and goalkeeper coach for the Summit Futbol Club since November 2014 and the Vermont Olympic Development Program since 2016.
He continues to work at Player ID Camps in the North Eastern area, including Syracuse University, Johns Hopkins and Castleton University.
Pasic completed his bachelor's degree from Castleton in 2015 in political science, earning his master's degree in athletic leadership in December of 2018 from Castleton. He holds a United States Soccer Federation "C" license, and a United Soccer Coaches "Advanced National" diploma.
"I would like to thank Greg Carroll and the entire hiring committee for this tremendous opportunity. I would also like to thank my mentor John O'Connor for everything he has done for me over the years as a mentor and friend, none of this would be possible without his guidance and leadership," Pasic said.
SUNY Morrisville's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2019 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2019 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about SUNY Morrisville, visit www.morrisville.edu.