Coached at Colby College/Waterville High School

Induction Ceremony Presentation Script

“Mark Serdjenian dedicated 49 years to coaching and mentoring in the State of Maine, establishing himself as one of the state’s most impactful soccer figures. At Colby College he served a remarkable 40-year stint as the Men’s and Women’s Varsity Soccer Coach, becoming the longest-serving head coach in the NESCAC upon his retirement. He compiled a record of 261 – 230 – 46, achieving the most wins by a Men’s College Coach in Maine History. His teams won two Eastern College Athletic Conference New England Division III titles, and he was honored as the New England Division III Coach of the Year in 1990 and Maine Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1993. After his retirement from the college ranks he spent six years as the Girls Varsity Soccer Coach, where his team won the United Soccer Coaches Team Pinnacle Award in 2019 and 2020. For 36 years, he was the Director of the Colby College overnight camp for boys and girls, with over 14,000 campers participating. He also coached the Maine Novas U18 girls premier club team for seven years. In 2021, Colby’s game soccer field was named the “Mark R. Serdjenian ’73 Field” in his honor. Finally, he served the Maine Soccer Coaches as the Collegiate Vice President for many years and received the prestigious “Service Award” in 2023.”

Bio

From his days as Maine’s top collegiate goalkeeper from 1970 to 1972 and captain his senior year at Colby College, Mark Serdjenian served coaches and players in the State of Maine over a 49 year period with character, wit, leadership, and thoughtfulness. 

Outside of College Play he spent 7 years as coach of the Maine Novas U18 girls premier club team, representing Maine at Regionals for seven straight years and two years each as U12 and U14 Central Maine United girls club coach. During the summer months he spent thirty-six years as the Director of the Colby College overnight camp for boys and girls, with over 14,000 campers participating over the years. Moreover, he conducted the Elm City Soccer day clinics for boys and girls ages 3 through 14 for over twenty-five years. While coaching at Colby he also taught 3rd grade for 8 years, was Colby’s Associate Dean of Students for Academics for 23 years, and  Assistant Women’s Lacrosse Coach for 9 years.

After retiring from Colby College, he became the Girls Varsity Soccer Coach at Waterville High School for the next six years. Besides making the MPA Tournament each year, his team won the United Soccer Coaches Team Pinnacle Award in 2019 and 2020, an award given for excellent sportsmanship, top academic performance and superior record on the field. It should be noted the only team in Maine to do so.

Testimonials:

“Thank you Coach for being a true role model, for emphasizing character and team over all else, for challenging your players to be better people….and for making all of that an absolute blast each and every minute! Forever grateful.”   -recent quote from a past captain

“I write to celebrate perhaps the wittiest, fairest, most thoughtful man with whom I’ve ever had the honor of coming in close contact. The impact you had on how I view leadership, relationships, and my place in this world is immeasurable. A team family of which I will always remain a part, grounded in love, high standards and fun. Those four years were quick but their impression is eternal. Thank you for everything coach.”  -from a graduating senior