Head Coach: Tracey Bartholomew, 718-780-3496, tbarthol@liu.edu
Assistants: Amphone Ketnouvong, Sarah Cooper

ABOUT COACH BARTHOLOMEW

When Bartholomew assumed the reins, she inherited a team that was coming off the 1999 NEC championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. The final players from that magical squad are seniors in 2002 and Bartholomew is poised to erase the memories of last season’s 4-12 record by sending them off in style.

“In my third year, I have watched this senior class mature and grow into incredible young women,” Bartholomew said. “I know the importance they have placed on themselves and each other to have an outstanding campaign.”

A true player’s coach, her influence can be seen in every area of the program. Not only has LIU excelled on the field, but also has ranked among the nation’s elite academically over the past four years. This included a 3.34 GPA in 2000 that placed the Blackbirds fifth in the country and a 3.33 GPA a season ago that was 12th among Division I schools.

“I believe in creating a positive and challenging learning environment that encourages my student-athletes to succeed on and off the field,” Bartholomew said. “I encourage my players to set goals, be accountable and responsible, to work as a team and to have discipline and perseverance. I want to instill the drive in my players to never be satisfied and elicit the desire and passion to strive to reach greatness.”

A native of Hilton, NY, Bartholomew arrived in downtown Brooklyn following a successful five-year run as an assistant coach at Colgate. During that span, the Red Raiders captured five Patriot League titles and earned three trips to the NCAA Tournament. She was responsible for all aspects of the program, including recruiting, game strategy and the running of practice sessions.

Bartholomew spent her summers coaching and working as an instructor at soccer camps for young adults and college bound players of both genders. She was the assistant director of Colgate’s Soccer Fit Academy for five years, and also has been a head coach at the U.S Military Soccer Camp, the Syracuse University Soccer Camp and was a staff member of the University of Rochester Soccer School.

Prior to her experience at Colgate, Bartholomew was a four-year letterwinner and one of the top Division III goalkeepers in the nation at the University of Rochester. The Yellow Jackets appeared in four NCAA Tournaments with her in goal, including a run to the 1991 NCAA final in which she notched two postseason shutouts.

Also a member of the school’s basketball team, Bartholomew graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology.

For eight years, Bartholomew was under the tutelage of some of the premier goalkeeper coaches in the nation, including Matt Clark, Bernie Watt, Joanie Schokow and former U.S. national team coach Tony DiCicco. Following her graduation, Bartholomew served as the goalkeeper coach at West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1994.

“I believe this is an exciting time to be a Blackbird,” Bartholomew said. “We have begun to create traditions and visions for our players and coaches that make our program unique and well worth the effort we put into it.”

ABOUT COACH KETNOUVONG (718) 488-3495

Amphone Ketnouvong enters his third year as an assistant coach with the Blackbirds. He will continue to share all coaching responsibilities with head coach Tracey Bartholomew.

“Amphone has worked extremely hard in recruiting, coaching and in preparation for the coming season,” Bartholomew said. “He is a tremendous asset and we are fortunate to have him continue to help build this program.”

In addition to his role with the Blackbirds, Ketnouvong last year earned an advanced national license from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Ketnouvong arrived at LIU from Southbridge, MA where he earned a name for himself as one of the most well-respected girls’ and boys’ youth coaches in the state. From 1997 until accepting his post at LIU, Ketnouvong was a coach in the Massachusetts Olympic Development Program.

In 1997, he guided the Under-13 boys to a district championship. The following year he coached the Under-12 boys to the district semifinals. In 1999 he took on an additional role, coaching both the Under-15 boys and Under-13 girls Olympic Development squads. In 2000, he was the assistant director of both the boys’ and girls’ ODP.

From 1997-98, he was the boys’ varsity soccer coach for the Southbridge (MA) School Department. He led his team to its first district playoff berth in 17 years during his inaugural season and Southbridge reached the district semifinals for the first time in his final year.

From 1991-2000, Ketnouvong was a coach and director of player development for the Southbridge Youth Soccer Association. He organized and implemented year-round soccer programs for children ranging from ages 4 to 18 and provided clinics for both players and coaches.

Ketnouvong, a Massachusetts certified teacher, earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Worcester State College in 1999.

ABOUT COACH COOPER

Australian National Team member Sarah Cooper enters her second season as an assistant coach at LIU.

A native of Swinger Hill, Australia, Cooper will be involved in most aspects of the program with an emphasis on player development.

“It is an outstanding opportunity to have a female coach who has played against the best women’s players in the world,” Bartholomew said. “ She brings a wetitleh of international experience and knowledge to our program.”

Cooper was selected to Australia’s National Team in 1991, earning 55 caps, and in 1996 was named team captain.

In a career filled with highlights, Cooper represented Australia at the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Sweden and the 1999 World Cup in the United States.

In 1995 she was selected to play for the World All-Stars in the Toys ‘R’ Us Victory Tour against the United States. She also was selected to play against the top-rated U.S. team in 2000 for the World All-Stars in the Discovery Health Channel Soccer Tour.

A Level 2 accredited soccer coach by the Australian Coaching Council, Cooper attended the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. She earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in physical education and math in 1991.