Ithaca Hires Patrick Ouckama As Men's Soccer Head Coach
ITHACA, N.Y. – Ithaca College Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreational Sports
Susan Bassett '79 has announced the hiring of
Patrick Ouckama as head coach of the men's soccer program. Ouckama is a 2005 graduate of Ithaca College and brings a background of playing at the collegiate and professional levels along with a coaching career in college and club soccer.
"It is with great pleasure, pride and confidence that I announce the appointment of
Patrick Ouckama '05 as Ithaca College's next Men's Soccer Head Coach. Patrick was selected from an exceptional applicant pool after a national search," Bassett said. "Through my work with Pat this spring in a variety of opportunities involving the men's soccer program and specifically through his conduct in the search process as one of our finalists, he earned my confidence and the confidence of the search committee and interview team."
Ouckama most recently served in the 2014 season as the program's first full-time assistant coach. He returned to Ithaca after a two-year stint as a head coach within the Castleford Youth Soccer Club, where he was in charge of player development and the design and implementation of curriculums for various youth teams.
Ouckama was a four-year starter for the Bombers from 2001-04, and served as a team captain for three seasons. During his time in Ithaca, Ouckama was an All-Empire 8 selection four times and earned three Northeast All-Region honors. After graduating from Ithaca with a degree in journalism in 2005, he moved on to play professionally for the Baltimore Blast of the Major Indoor Soccer League.
"For a long time this program has been very near and dear to my heart, and it is now more than ever. I'm very fortunate to have played for
Andy Byrne, and to have worked with him this past year," Ouckama said. "We currently have a talented roster, some very promising recruits, and the strongest network of alums anyone in my position could ask for. I'm very excited to get to work."
Ouckama also spent time as head coach at the Westchester Soccer Academy for two seasons. While with Westchester, he worked with the Scarsdale Youth Academy, a program designed to support up-and-coming players in the area. Ouckama has obtained a United States Soccer Federation "A" Coaching License, and is ProZone Analysis Level I certified.
He is the ninth coach in program history and steps into the role previously held by his mentor,
Andy Byrne. Byrne, who led the program for 31 years, announced his retirement in February of 2015 and will remain on staff through the end of May. Ouckama's official appointment in the role of head coach begins June 1, 2015, but he is involved with all operations of the men's soccer program during this transition.
"I am excited to see the leadership of our men's soccer program transition from his mentor,
Andy Byrne, to our next generation Bomber leader,
Patrick Ouckama," Bassett said. "I thank Andy for his 31 years of service in leading our men's soccer program. Patrick will take the reins and continue the positive trajectory of the program."
The Ithaca College men's soccer program has made 14 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, and advanced to the semifinals in 1996 and the quarterfinals in 1995 and 1997.