Eric Da Costa to Serve as Technical Director for New Haven's Elm City Express
1/13/2017 4:23:00 PM | Men's Soccer
HAMDEN, Conn. - Quinnipiac men's soccer head coach Eric Da Costa is set to serve as a technical advisor to the Elm City Express - New Haven's newest semi-professional soccer club. The Express joined the National Premier Soccer League on Jan. 9, 2017, as announced by the league.
Da Costa will be working with both the technical staff and the management staff with the program, which will play its season from May to July each year. The Bobcats' head coach will be advising both groups, and hopes that his input will help make the Express a big success.
"I am excited to be part of something that adds to the soccer landscape in this state, the ownership group and management are committed to doing that," Da Costa said. "I have been committed to soccer in the state of Connecticut for 20 years. There is a wealth of soccer history and tradition in this state and I have done my best to add to that with positive contributions."
Zach Henry, owner of Clube Tubarao, a professional club in Brazil, will serve as Elm City's president, while Brian Neumeyer is set to serve as the team's general manager. The team will be coached by Ted Haley, who currently serves as head coach at Post University.
Da Costa thinks that his new role will expand Quinnipiac's networking, and in return enhance relationships with his collegiate program.
"This sport has presented me with so many life changing opportunities and I am not in the position I find myself in today without this game," Da Costa said. "For me its very simple, I work each day to in some way give back to the game what it has given me, be it through our program at Quinnipiac, in the community or through the youth soccer programs I am connected with. When Elm City Express approached me about getting involved in this project I was excited to help because it presents another opportunity to contribute in a positive way."
Da Costa, who is currently in his 12th season at Quinnipiac, is coming off a season in which he led the Bobcats to a 12-6-0 (8-2-0 MAAC) record. During the 2016 season, the Bobcats won their fourth regular season conference title in the past five years, and Da Costa was named BSN Sports MAAC Coach of the Year. Under his leadership in Hamden, the program has posted a 88-87-44 mark.
And with the birth of Connecticut's newest soccer program, Da Costa believes, ultimately, that the sport will continue to grow throughout the state.
"It is the mission of Elm City Express to imbed themselves in the community," Da Costa explained. "This is the strategy they are currently implementing at Clube Tubarao in Brazil and it is what they believe to be a model that will help them succeed here, as well. The people involved are all innovators looking for fresh ideas. They are not afraid to collaborate and will be looking to bring something that is inclusive and refreshing to the City of New Haven and its surrounding communities.
Da Costa will be working with both the technical staff and the management staff with the program, which will play its season from May to July each year. The Bobcats' head coach will be advising both groups, and hopes that his input will help make the Express a big success.
"I am excited to be part of something that adds to the soccer landscape in this state, the ownership group and management are committed to doing that," Da Costa said. "I have been committed to soccer in the state of Connecticut for 20 years. There is a wealth of soccer history and tradition in this state and I have done my best to add to that with positive contributions."
Zach Henry, owner of Clube Tubarao, a professional club in Brazil, will serve as Elm City's president, while Brian Neumeyer is set to serve as the team's general manager. The team will be coached by Ted Haley, who currently serves as head coach at Post University.
Da Costa thinks that his new role will expand Quinnipiac's networking, and in return enhance relationships with his collegiate program.
"This sport has presented me with so many life changing opportunities and I am not in the position I find myself in today without this game," Da Costa said. "For me its very simple, I work each day to in some way give back to the game what it has given me, be it through our program at Quinnipiac, in the community or through the youth soccer programs I am connected with. When Elm City Express approached me about getting involved in this project I was excited to help because it presents another opportunity to contribute in a positive way."
Da Costa, who is currently in his 12th season at Quinnipiac, is coming off a season in which he led the Bobcats to a 12-6-0 (8-2-0 MAAC) record. During the 2016 season, the Bobcats won their fourth regular season conference title in the past five years, and Da Costa was named BSN Sports MAAC Coach of the Year. Under his leadership in Hamden, the program has posted a 88-87-44 mark.
And with the birth of Connecticut's newest soccer program, Da Costa believes, ultimately, that the sport will continue to grow throughout the state.
"It is the mission of Elm City Express to imbed themselves in the community," Da Costa explained. "This is the strategy they are currently implementing at Clube Tubarao in Brazil and it is what they believe to be a model that will help them succeed here, as well. The people involved are all innovators looking for fresh ideas. They are not afraid to collaborate and will be looking to bring something that is inclusive and refreshing to the City of New Haven and its surrounding communities.
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