SUNY Canton names Nazareth assistant as head men's soccer coach

CANTON -- SUNY Canton has named Mark Howlett as the new men's soccer coach.

Howlett, a native of Portsmouth, England, has served as an assistant coach for the past three seasons at Nazareth College. The Golden Flyers went 26-22-6 during those three years and twice had a player named Empire 8 Rookie of the Year.

In addition to coaching at Nazareth, Howlett has been the director of coaching for Doug Miller Soccer in Rochester N.Y., for the past three years and in 2009 was appointed head coach of the Rochester Ravens FC, a women's professional team. He has also served as a coach for the New York State West ODP girl’s team.

Howlett was a Youth Trainee at AFC Bournemouth in the English second division, where he was named player of the year in 2004. Howlett played two seasons at Roberts Wesleyan College (N.Y.) and two years at Judson University (Ill.) and was an NAIA All-American at both institutions. He helped lead Judson to two Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference titles, two Region VII championships and two berths in the NAIA national tournament.

Howlett holds a USSF "B" license from the U.S. Soccer Federation, as well as an "Advanced National" diploma through the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

“We are very happy to have someone with Mark’s experience join our staff,” said athletic director Diane Para. “Mark brings a wealth of soccer knowledge as both a player and a coach and we are very excited about the direction of the program.”

Howlett has two daughters with his wife Regan, Lillian, 21 months and Willow, four months.