Coaches are members of the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer League (professional soccer) and are experienced youth coaches. They are given suggested material and have experience with private and small group coaching with youth players. Coaches stand behind the mission of Corban Soccer and truely care about the development of each student. -- "THEY WON'T CARE WHAT YOU KNOW IF THEY DON'T KNOW THAT YOU CARE." --

		Luke Vercollone
		Midfielder. Richmond Kickers (Director of Operations) After helping Seton Hall University to 3 straight NCAA tournament appearances (captain, 1st Team All Big East Conference), Luke was drafted into the MLS in 2004 and played 2 seasons with the New England Revolution. He has played professional soccer at all levels in the U.S. including 2 national champion PDL Seasons with the Cape Cod Crusaders (02, 03, captain and MVP). Following an MLS Finals with the Revolution in 2005, Vercollone signed with the Charleston Battery (USL I) for 2 successful seasons and is now preparing for his second season with the Kickers. Luke coaches with the Kickers youth club, has his NSCAA Advanced Regional Coaching diploma, and has over 12 years of coaching experience. Vercollone Credits his successful coaching style to the 10 summers he got to teach the youth at soccer camp, playing with and helping his 9 younger siblings, and the top level coaching he's received throughout his career. He earned a BA in Sports Management from Seton Hall.
		Henry Kalungi
		Defender. Richmond Kickers Former U-20 Uganda National Team standout Henry Kalungi brings strength and talent to Richmond Kickers back line. Starting every game in his rookie season (2009) with the Kickers, Henry led all field players in minutes, anchoring the leagues best defense. Kalungi graduated from Winthrop University where he earned “All-Big South” team honors and Team MVP (2006). He played his summer ball with the Fredericksburg Gunners and has coached with the Kickers as well as littleKICKS.
		Mark Murphy
		Goalkeeper. Richmond Kickers Mark is preparing for his third season with the Kickers after a successful college career at Mount St. Mary's University. He was named to the All-Northeast Conference second team, finished his career ranking in the Top-5 in saves, minutes played and shutouts on the program’s all-time lists. Starting all 17 games as a sophomore, he finished second in the NEC with 86 saves and became the first player in the Northeast Conference to earn Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors in the same season since 2000. Murphy also has Premier Development League (PDL) experience, defending the nets for the Chesapeake Athletic Dragons (2003-2004), Reading Rage (2005) and Thunder Bay Chill (2006). Murphy has personal goalkeeping training experience through "Simpson Soccer" (in DC) and the Kickers as the club's head goalkeeper trainer.
		Ben Hunter
		Forward. Richmond Kickers Hunter was drafted by the Columbus Crew in the fourth round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft after leading the University of North Carolina in scoring for two consecutive seasons. While playing on loan to Cleveland he received ULS-2 team of the week. The 6’0” native of Doncaster, England played two seasons at the University of Chapel Hill where he amassed 17 goals and 10 assists for 44 points. Spending his first two collegiate seasons at the NAIA University of Rio Grande in Ohio, Hunter totaled 43 goals and 17 assists in two season. Leading the team to the NAIA national title in 2003, the American Mideast Conference South Division Player of the Year earned consecutive All-Conference and All-Regional honors. This natural goal scorer netted 8 goals complimented with 11 assists during his time in the USL Premier Development League with the Carolina Dynamo. Ben has ample youth coaching experience through his time with summer soccer camps and the two youth club teams coached while in Ohio.
		Adrian Bumbut
		Forward. Richmond Kickers A native of Zalau, Romania, Adrian was drafted by the Chicago Fire in the second round of the MLS Supplemental Draft out of Liberty University. Adrian joined the Kickers pro team after spending a season with the Richmond Kickers Future of the Premier Development League. He burst onto the scoring scene in July 2008, notching two goals and four assists last summer. He earned USL 2 Team of the Week honors three times last season. Bumbut returns to his second season with the Kickers after winning the National professional indoor soccer championship with the Baltimore Blast last winter. He is passionate about helping players improve with a vast coaching experience: Fredricksburg Gunners, Liberty summer camps, and Kickers youth soccer.
		William Yomby
		Defender. Richmond Kickers Drafted by the Kansas City Wizards in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft before joining Puerto Rico last spring. The native of Batoussam, Cameroon made five appearances with the Islanders in 2008. Upon graduating high school from Lycee Classique Bafoussam in Cameroon, William attended the University of Oschang in 2004 where he led the men?s soccer team to the Championship title. He participated in the University Games held in Dschang, helping the team claim a gold medal. The following year, he transferred to Old Dominion University where he made an immediate impact, selected to the CAA All-Rookie Team that season. Making 48 appearances over three seasons, the 6?4? defender earned All-CAA Second Team honors and was named to the CAA All-Tournament and All-State teams. Additionally, William had a one-year stint with the Hampton Roads Piranhas of the USL Premier Development League in 2007.

Other coaches may be available upon request.

TOO YOUNG FOR RETIREMENT

By JOHN PACKETT
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER (June, 2008)

Luke Vercollone was more than a little concerned about his future in soccer. The 26-year-old midfielder had been told that his contract with the Charleston Battery (United Soccer Leagues First Division) would not be renewed. After four years in the professional game, was it time to look for a job in the real world? "I just had to basically decide if I wanted to continue playing or not," said Vercollone, who signed with the Richmond Kickers in the offseason. "But the more time I took off, the more I needed to play. I love it, and I missed it too much. I was looking for a team where I could play and coach, so this is definitely a good fit." Richmond coach Leigh Cowlishaw feels the same way about Vercollone, who will make his ninth start when the Kickers (4-4-0) entertain the Bermuda Hogges (2-4-0) today at 7 p.m. in a USL2 match at University of Richmond Stadium.

"When we heard he was available, we certainly recruited very hard to get him," Cowlishaw said. "He's the consummate professional. All heart. He'll run all day. He'll do the extra work for everybody. He's always positive. These are the type of players you want on the team if you're going to be a successful, championship team. These type of players make a difference." When he was drafted in the fifth round (2004) out of Seton Hall by the Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer), Vercollone thought he would be making a difference at the highest level of U.S. pro soccer. But he quickly was traded to the New England Revolution, where he was used mostly on the developmental (reserve) squad for two years. "That was good because that's where I'm from," said the native of Pembroke, Mass. "I played a few games with the first team and captained the developmental team."

After being released by New England, he signed with Charleston, where he played in every game for two years, producing three goals and six assists for the Battery."Being at the higher level is nice, but it was tough sitting on the bench," the 5-10 160-pounder said. "I've been much happier now. I really enjoyed playing with Charleston and now with Richmond. It's a good level, good competition." Vercollone started this season as more of a defensive midfielder but has since moved into more of an attacking position in the central midfield. "He has such versatility," Cowlishaw said. "Right now, he's in the center, where he can do a lot of the dirty work, clean up all the defensive plays -- pick up all the trash -- and start an attack for us. He's very mobile and can join the attack. He gets himself in fantastic positions out wide. I think he's just got to clean up the quality of the final finish, and he could score a lot of goals."

With a degree in sports management, Vercollone would like to get into coaching and/or campus ministry one day. He's coaching one of the Kickers' youth teams this season. Vercollone got married a couple of months ago and bought a house in Midlothian, so this could be a place for him to settle down. "I still love playing and I enjoy helping young kids get better, too," he said. "After last season in Charleston, I knew I was getting married and I wanted a little bit of security. Wanted to be able to plan our future, and in soccer, that's always tough to find. I guess I'm getting old."

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ONE VERSUS ELEVEN (September 2008)
Meet Midfielder... Luke Vercollone
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Luke Vercollone credits his hard-working and competitive nature to growing up with 10 siblings in Pembroke, Massachusetts. Joining the Kickers after a combined four seasons in MLS and USL-1, his work ethic paid off in his first season with the Kickers where he started 21 matches, notching two goals and two assists. Recently married to Andrea Rutherford and an active member of the speaker’s bureau for Catholic Athletes for Christ, Luke is the first Kickers player to sign on with Richmond Kickers Indoor. Get to know Luke as he balances life as newlywed, his passion for coaching and leading the newest indoor team in town to victory!

1. What was it like growing up with 10 siblings?
Fun. Always something going on. Never boring. I just thought all the chaos was normal and got used to it. It was great always being able to find someone to compete with.

2. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Hawaii. My wife and I wanted to go there on our honeymoon but couldn’t since we were in season when we got married. We plan on going someday.

3. What three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?
1. Marrying my wife Andrea; I have always dreamed of getting married and Andrea has surprised my most ambitious dreams. 2. Signing a contract with the New England Revolution (MLS) – another dream realized. 3. Signing with the Kickers – I was so happy to get the opportunity to continue to play soccer when I thought I would have to move on to another occupation.

4. If you weren’t playing soccer, what would you be doing?
Living in Colorado near my wife’s family. I can’t imagine not playing right now and I’d still be involved in the sport as a coach. I always want to be able to support my family doing what I am passionate about and I hope I’ll be able to do that wherever I live.

5. Who is your greatest role model? Why?
I love St. Frances of Assisi because he was a humble servant of God and a Knight for Christ. My parents have also been a great positive influence in my life.

6. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
My competitive spirit; desire to win and do my best; doing all things for God’s glory.

7. What was it like playing in MLS?
It was a great experience. I was so fortunate to play near my family and friends in Massachusetts. I learned a lot those first two years and grew a lot as a player. It was cool because it was what I had always dreamed of doing. However, it is never easy sitting on the bench and the soccer side of things was tough at times.

8. How did it feel to be asked for your autograph for the first time?
I remember signing some of my first autographs as a pro with the Revs and thought it was really neat since I had been practicing my signature since I was young.

9. How do you strive to be a role model to your children or children you coach?
I think that leading by example is most important and trying to be conscious about how I act around young people. I relate well to the children since I grew up around so many young siblings and I just be myself and have fun with them.

10. What is the best experience you have had so far?
I really enjoyed walking into Gillette Stadium to my own locker and jersey for the Revolution. I have had many great experiences with the sport but my favorite is always looking forward to the next game with excited anticipation.

11. What do you like most about playing for the Richmond Kickers?
I like my teammates, environment, and level of play. The attitudes and chemistry may be the best of any team I’ve played on and that has helped us succeed.

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