Rick King comes to us bringing a wealth of experience, training, and knowledge.  He has been involved in coaching, managing, and directing soccer operations since 1994.  After finishing his college playing career, he coached at Western Connecticut State University.  In 1996,  Rick bought the Connecticut Soccer School, Inc., from United States Soccer Hall of Fame member and former University of Connecticut soccer coach Joe Morrone.  It was one of the first soccer camps of its kind in the country.  In 2000, he sold it to the current Benfica and Portugal National Team goalkeeping coach, Dan Gaspar. The Connecticut Soccer Scool, Inc. is a training camp for youth players, that now works in conjunction with the premier goalkeeper camp in the country, Star Goalkeeper Academy, also owned by Gaspar. Rick also spent 2 years working for the New Orleans Saints (the other “football”) working in sales and marketing.  Before joining the Invaders back in the spring of 2006 as a coach, he was the Premier Staff Head Coach of two teams each season, as well as the Goalkeeping Director for the Carrollton Soccer Association in New Orleans.  Coach Rick also works as a volunteer on the University of Notre Dame Men's coaching staff.  He was invited to join the Notre Dame staff by Bobby Clark in a voluntary position working mainly with the goalkeepers.

 

His personal playing experience includes high school, where he played for NSCAA National Coach of the Year, his father Ralph King, and was voted two time All-State while he played for Brien McMahon High School (Norwalk, CT).  At the University of Massachusetts, he was the starting GK for 2 years and then played for East Stroudsburg University (PA) where he made the All - Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference team.  Rick also played professionally for the Connecticut Wolves in the USISL A-League in 1999.

 

We are excited to have Rick move up in our organization and fill the position of Director of Soccer Operations.  Rick is available in the office during most regular business hours.   Feel free to contact him on his cell phone if he is out of the office.  He is more than happy to answer questions and make sure that our players get the best soccer training and experience that each of them deserve.