Joe Barroso to Take Over Men's Soccer Program
12/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Dec. 13, 2004
FAIRFIELD, CT - Sacred Heart University Director of Athletics, C. Donald Cook, announced today that women's soccer coach Joe Barroso has resigned his position as women's soccer coach to take over duties as the Pioneer's men's soccer coach, effective immediately. Barroso succeeds Joe McGuigan, who recently retired after guiding the men's soccer team for 20 seasons.
"It's going to take some time to get this program to where I want it to be," says Barroso. "We'll begin the process right now as we start evaluating what we have and then decide what we need to take that next step. I think the same philosophy I had with the women's program will carry over easily to the men's side. We'll adjust it and the style of play a little once I know what kind of players I have to work with."
Barroso, in his second stint at SHU after leaving for five years to coach at the University of Bridgeport, coached the Pioneer women's team for eight seasons and compiled a 71-66-5 record. He returned to help the Pioneers make the transition to Division I and guided the program to three-straight Northeast Conference Tournaments and its first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament.
The 2001 women's program was the starting point for the Pioneer's recent run of success through the NEC. That season, he guided the team to its first post-season tournament appearance where they enjoyed a magical run, capturing their first-ever Northeast Conference Crown and spot in the NCAA's. For his efforts Barroso was named NEC Coach of the Year.
He lead his team to another NEC Tournament appearance in 2002, and guided the 2003 squad to a 10-5-4 overall record and a 7-2 NEC mark as the Pioneers rounded out 2003 in second place in the final conference standings. Last season the Pioneers finished 8-8-3 overall and 5-2-2 in the conference. After knocking off top-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round, the Pioneers found themselves playing for the league title against Central Connecticut State, losing in a shootout for the second straight time.
He helped lay the foundation of the women's soccer program at Sacred Heart serving as head coach from 1992-94. He amassed a record of 27-28-2 in those three years on the sideline, receiving the regional Coach of the Year award in 1994-95.
At the University of Bridgeport, Barroso was named the New England Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year in 1997. He was 34-41-6 while coaching the women for four years. He also served as the head men's soccer coach for the Purple Knights from 1997-99.
Originally from Portugal, Barroso played at Southern Connecticut State University, where he was a member of that school's Division II National Championship squad in 1990 and is eighth on the Owls all-time scoring list with 99 points (41 goals, 58 assists). His 41 goals are sixth on that all-time list. He was chosen as one of the top-25 players in the country after his senior season at SCSU and picked to play in the Senior Bowl.
Barroso has played professionally both in Europe and the United States. He played for a First Division club in Portugal competing in the prestigious UEFA Cup and for both the Connecticut Wolves and the Boston Storm in the A-League of the USISL. Barroso was also a member of the United States National Team in 1990-'91.
"Joe is the consummate professional," says Cook. "More than just his knowledge of the game, which is considerable, he has the important management skills, energy and network of contacts to assure the men's soccer recruitment program is connecting where it should on all cylinders. Joe knows and understands the mission and philosophy of Sacred Heart University, and therefore, has an excellent grasp of how to promote soccer within the markets that potentially will bring the men's program to new competitive heights, both within and beyond the Northeast Conference.
"In succeeding his close colleague and friend, Joe McGuigan, the transition from the women's program to the men's will be seamless and successful."
