Head Coach: Jeremy Iwaszkowiec
Jeremy Iwaszkowiec enters his first season as the head coach of both the men's and women's soccer programs. Iwaszkowiec comes to Bethel from Murray State University in Kentucky, where he served as an assistant coach the last 2 seasons. In 2009 he helped lead the Racers to an Ohio Valley Conference championship. That same year the Racers qualified for the first round of the NCAA tournament. Prior to being at Murray State, Iwaszkowiec was the head men's and women's soccer coach at Crichton College (now known as Victory University).
Growing up in the St. Louis metro and attending Francis Howell North High School, Iwaszkowiec was a stand out prep athlete winning numerous awards. Honors included the St. Louis Metro High School player of the year, Missouri High School player of the year, NSCAA Player of the Region, and All-American selections by both the NSCAA and Parade Magazine.
After high school Jeremy played collegiately at Clemson University. While at Clemson he was a 3-year starter on 2 teams that reached the NCAA Quarterfinals, and in 1998 was part of a Clemson squad that was ranked No. 1 for much of the season, before finishing with a record of 22-2. He graduated from Clemson in 1999 with a degree in marketing. In 2006 he graduated from Bethel Seminary with a master's degree in theology.
Post-collegiately Iwaszkowiec had the opportunity to continue playing as he was drafted by the Minnesota Thunder, but rather chose to pursue other interests.
Assistant Coach: Eric Berg
Coach Berg returns to the program this fall for his fourth season as a coach. Berg played goalkeeper for the Royals from 2001-04 and holds the school record for most shutouts in a season with six in 2001 (seven career shutouts). He was also a key player on the 2004 team that earned a berth in the MIAC playoffs, and was recognized as an all-conference goalie as a result.
Berg's responsibility will be working with the goalkeepers, focusing on fundamentals and technique. He is also entering his seventh year at Irondale high school as the boy's varsity assistant/goalkeeper trainer.
Berg currently lives in Oakdale, Minn., with his wife Melinda, and works for the Mounds View school district.
Assistant Coach: Matt VanBenschoten
Matt will be returning for his 7th season at Bethel and his 2nd year as an assistant coach. He graduated from Bethel University in the fall of 2009 where he double majored in Psychology and Youth Ministry.He is currently pursuing his masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Bethel Seminary where he hopes to become a licensed therapist to work with adolescents and their families. He currently works at Fridley Middle school as a para-professional as well as coaching youth soccer. Matt and his wife Kelsey reside in Plymouth.
Assistant Coach: Todd Meyer
Todd is in his first year as an assistant for the Bethel University Soccer Program, having just graduated in May of 2011 from Wartburg College with a degree in Business Administration. He currently works for Thomson Reuters as a sales representative.
Todd played soccer at Eastview High School in Apple Valley, MN. After high school he joined Coach Iwaszkowiec at Crichton College in Memphis, Tennessee and there he played for two years under Coach Iwaszkowiec, now head coach of Bethel University Soccer Program. During Todd’s final two years of college, he attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa playing for the Knights. While at Wartburg he was Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) regular season champions, IIAC tournament champions, an NCAA tournament participant, as well as an IIAC All Conference nominee. This past summer he was a club coach at Dakota Rev, helping to coach u-13 boys and u-11 girls. Todd is excited to be a part of the Bethel College Soccer Program.
