Flushing, N.Y. – Frank Vertullo, who turned Suffolk Community College into one of the premier junior college teams in the nation, has been named head coach of the Queens College men's soccer team, Assistant Vice President for Athletics, Dr. China Jude, announced on Monday.
Vertullo, a former National Coach of the Year, comes to Queens after spending the last 10 seasons as head coach at Suffolk, where he led the Sharks to their first two NJCAA National Championships in school history.
"I would like to thank Director of Athletics China Jude, Associate Athletic Director Robert Twible and the entire search committee for this opportunity to lead the Queens College men's soccer program," said Vertullo. "I am honored and excited to be part of such an amazing institution. I look forward to implementing a culture of recruiting strong student-athletes that fit the expectations of the QC athletic department, the men's soccer program and the college."
Over Vertullo's 10 seasons at the helm, Suffolk owned one of the best records for junior colleges in the country at 161-24-13 overall. Vertullo, who took over the Suffolk program in 2007, guided the Sharks to national titles in 2010 and 2014. Suffolk also reached the national quarterfinals in 2008, the national semifinals in 2012 and the national finals in 2013.
Vertullo was named NSCAA Coach of the Year in 2010 after the Sharks' first national title. He also earned Coach of the Tournament accolades twice (2010 and 2014) and NJCAA Region XV Coach of the Year five times (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2016). Under Vertullo's watch, Suffolk won five regional championships (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014), and the Sharks were regional finalists four times (2007, 2009, 2015, 2016).
Two of Vertullo's players at Suffolk earned NSCAA National Player of the Year honors (Zacchious Ogoo, 2010; Joseph Lopez, 2014). He mentored 13 NJCAA All-Americans and nine NSCAA All-Americans. Additionally, Vertullo coached two NJCAA Region XV Player of the Year honorees, one Academic All-American (Eddie Hackett, 2010) and 60 NJCAA All-Region players.
Prior to Suffolk, Vertullo served as assistant coach at his alma mater, Dowling College, from 2001-2006. In those six seasons, Dowling went 93-12-20 overall, reached the NCAA Division II National Semifinals four times (2001, 2003, 2004, 2006) and won the school's first men's soccer National Championship in 2006. East Coast Conference (ECC) Hall of Famer Morten Jensen was named NSCAA National Player of the Year in 2006, and forward Guy Kpene was drafted by DC United of Major League Soccer (MLS).
"I truly am thankful to be back in the ECC," continued Vertullo. "And I look forward to building the men's soccer program to compete in such a great conference."
A three-year captain and four-year starter as a student-athlete at Dowling, Vertullo started in all 73 contests and helped the Golden Lions go 52-18-3 during his four seasons. He was a three-time all-conference selection and was NYCAC Newcomer of the Year in 1997. Dowling made three NCAA Tournament appearances (1997, 1998, 2000) and captured two conference championships (1997, 1998).
After his playing days at Dowling, Vertullo played professionally for the New York Freedoms, where he was a two-year starter at center back. The Freedoms reached the third round of the US Open Cup in 2004 and played a friendly versus Juventus of the Italian Serie A. The Freedoms also made two USL playoff appearances.
Vertullo graduated from Dowling College in 2001 with a degree in business. He completed his master's degree in education at Dowling in 2004. Vertullo is a teacher of 14 years and resides in Blue Point, N.Y., with his wife Maxine, son Michael (9) and step-son Dylan (10).
Provided by the Queens Sports Information Department.
