Head Coach
Mark Bassett
570-208-5900, ext. 5334
markbassett@kings.edu
The 2006 season was the start of
a new era at King's College as Mark Bassett took over the
reigns of the Monarch soccer program while serving as coordinator of
soccer operations at the
college. Bassett stands as the first full-time men's soccer coach at
King's since the program's inception in 1980.
Bassett came to King's after serving the 2005 season as an assistant
coach at NCAA Division III Goucher College, Towson, Md. Prior to Goucher,
he was an assistant coach Division II Bloomsburg University in 2001 and
2002, before moving on to Pequea Valley High School where he served as
assistant varsity coach and head junior varsity coach in 2003.
Bassett then returned to Bloomsburg as an assistant in 2004 before
accepting a full-time high school teaching position at Aberdeen High
School in Maryland where he joined the Goucher College coaching staff as
the lead assistant.
As a player, Bassett enjoyed an outstanding collegiate career as a
member of the men's soccer team at NCAA Division III national power
Messiah College. A four-year letterman and three-year starter at center
midfield, Bassett helped Messiah to a four-year record of 73-11-6 and
four straight berths to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. While
at Messiah, Bassett helped the Falcons to the 1997 Middle Atlantic
Conference championship and a second-place finish in 1998.
In 1999, Bassett led Messiah to the MAC Commonwealth regular-season
championship and a spot in the Division III national quarterfinals. In
2000, Messiah won the MAC Commonwealth tournament championship and
earned yet another Division III national tournament berth. The Falcons
would reach the title game where Bassett scored the first goal of the
contest as Messiah won the 2000 Division III national championship with
a 2-0 victory over Rowan University. He concluded his senior year with
an MAC All-Star selection..
Bassett is a graduate of Pequea Valley High School where he was a
three-year starter and two-time first-team all-county selection. He
earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Messiah in 2001, before
receiving a Master's of Education degree from Bloomsburg in 2003.
Bassett also owns a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)
National Teaching Diploma.
"I believe that King's College provides a great environment for
academic and athletic excellence," Bassett stated. "King's and its staff
are dedicated to succeeding both in the classroom and on the athletic
field, without losing sight of both being integral parts of building a
great college community. My goal is to develop a soccer culture with compassion and respect for
all aspects of the game while progressively enhancing the standard of
the program to a higher level each year, while maintaining a high
standard of academic performance. It is also my goal as a coach to
create a comfortable and respectful atmosphere that allows the players
to achieve success at a high level."
As director of soccer operations, Bassett will also be
involved with the King's women's soccer program, aiding with coordinate
recruiting efforts, scheduling, budget management, travel, and a variety
of other aspects of the Lady Monarch program. He will also serve as the
Director of Alumni Hall Fitness Center on the King's campus.
Updated: 9/1/08
Assistant Coach
John McNichol
570-208-5900, ext. 5334
Joining the Monarch program as an
assistant coach is 2008 King's graduate John McNichol. A
former four-year Monarch player and two-year starter at goalie,
McNichol will work hands on with a young King's group of goalies.
In his for year varsity career at King's, McNichol played in 36
games, making 27 starts. He posted a 2.26 career goals against
average while making 162 saves in net. As a junior, his first year
as a starter, he made 65 saves while registering a 2.52 GAA. As a
senior in 2007, McNichol enjoyed his best year, making a career-high
88 saves while earning a 1.46 GAA. In the process, he helped lead
the Monarchs to the championship game of the Freedom Conference
Tournament.
McNichol was also a four-year member of the King's baseball team
where he was a pitcher and served as one of the team's top closers.
He helped the Monarchs to the 2006 Freedom Conference championship
and a berth in the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
A native of West Chester, Pa.,
McNichol is a 2004 graduate of Devon Prep.
updated: 9/1/08
