Coached at University of Maine At Orono, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Old Dominion University, and Notre Dame University

Induction Ceremony Presentation Script

“Michael Berticelli was a highly respected collegiate soccer coach and a notable figure in Maine athletics. A native of Lewiston, Maine, his distinguished 24-year coaching career spanned four different colleges, culminating in an overall record of 291-135-42.  His coaching journey began at the University of Maine at Orono as the Freshman Soccer Coach in 1975. After one year he moved to Thomas College where he was named the NAIA District 5 Coach of the Year and NAIA New England Coach of the Year in 1977. He left Maine in 1980 and went to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he led the team to back-to-back NCAA Division III National Championships in 1982 and 1983, finishing his time there with a 70-9-5 record.  In 1990 he was hired by the University of Notre Dame to coach Men’s Soccer where he compiled a 104-80-19 record, leading the team to the Big East Tournament Championship in 1996 and three NCAA tournament appearances. He received Coach-of-the-Year honors in 10 different seasons, including being named NCAA Division III Coach of the Year in 1982.  Berticelli’s influence extended significantly beyond the field. He was a passionate advocate for coaching education, serving as the Director of Coaching Education for the NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) and was on track to become its president in 2002 but a heart attack took him at age 48 in 2000.  The United Soccer Coaches Award for Excellence in Coaching Education is named in his honor. He has been posthumously inducted into several Halls of Fame, including the Thomas College Hall of Fame, the University of Maine at Farmington Hall of Fame, and the United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame.

It is instructive that soon after his passing several groups chose ways to remember him, a testament to his impact. At Notre Dame, the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament was set up shortly after his death. It invites four highly-rated teams for a weekend of competition in early September and is recognized nationally for its excellence. Also, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America established the Mike Berticelli Excellence in Coaching Award, presented annually to a member of the NSCAA Academy in recognition of excellence in coaching education. Finally, Michael was inducted into the UNC Greensboro Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of its Charter Class on September 29, 2000. 

A great coach is said to be a great teacher. Michael left us with a widely-circulated poem called “The Youth Soccer Coach” that exemplifies this fact. The last lines, as addressed to those named in the title, are as follows: 

“I hope you’re concerned, but not really offended. It’s the need for more skill that I have defended. You’re giving your all, from the good of your heart. Why not make sure the kids get the right start?”

He is survived by his wife Cinda and two sons, Anthony and Nino.”

Bio

Michael Berticelli was a highly respected soccer coach and a notable figure in Maine athletics. A native of Lewiston, Maine, he had a distinguished career that spanned four different colleges and left a lasting impact on the sport.


Career Highlights

Berticelli’s coaching journey began in 1975 at the University of Maine at Orono after playing soccer at the University of Maine at Farmington. After a year as the UMO Freshman Coach under Paul Stoyell he moved to Thomas College, where he coached from 1976 to 1980. During this period, he compiled a record of 41-19-2 and was named the NAIA District 5 Coach of the Year in 1977 1978. His success in Maine propelled him to national prominence, including a four-year stint at UNC-Greensboro, where he led the team to back-to-back NCAA Division III National Championships in 1982 and 1983. He then coached at Old Dominion University from 1984 to 1989 and at the University of Notre Dame from 1990 to 1999. At Notre Dame, his teams made three NCAA tournament appearances (1993, 1994, 1996) and won the Big East Tournament Championship in 1996. His overall coaching record was 291-135-42 over 24 years.


Legacy and Honors

Berticelli’s influence extended beyond the field; he was a passionate advocate for coaching education. The United Soccer Coaches Award for Excellence in Coaching Education is named in his honor. He was posthumously inducted into several Halls of Fame, including the Thomas College Hall of Fame (2000), the University of Maine at Farmington Hall of Fame (1999), and the United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame (2025). Michael Berticelli passed away in 2000 at the age of 48.

Berticelli, who was inducted into UNCG’s Hall of Fame in 2000, guided the Spartan men’s soccer team from 1980-83, which included back-to-back NCAA Division III national championships in 1982 and 1983. Additionally, he finished his four seasons in Greensboro with a 70-9-5 overall record in just 84 games. Berticelli’s 1983 squad holds the program record for goals (102) and wins (23) in a single season.

A renowned figure in the world of collegiate soccer coaching, Berticelli left an indelible mark on the sport. With a career spanning decades, He achieved remarkable success and garnered numerous accolades in a career shortened by his untimely passing in 2000.

Berticelli’s coaching journey began in the 1970s, where he quickly established himself as a rising star. His dedication, strategic acumen, and ability to develop talent led him to the NAIA New England Coach of the Year award in 1977.

Berticelli later compiled a 104-80-19 record in 10 seasons as head coach at the University of Notre Dame from 1990-99. Three of his teams participated in the NCAA Tournament, including the 1996 squad that advanced to the second round after a 1-0 upset of second-rated UNCG that marked Notre Dame’s first-ever NCAA victory in men’s soccer.

His impact extended beyond his team’s victories. Berticelli was a passionate advocate for coaching education as he served as the Director of Coaching Education for the NSCAA and was on the NSCAA Board of Directors. He was also instrumental in the creation of the United Soccer Coaches Award for Excellence in Coaching Education, which is named in his honor.

In addition to his coaching achievements, Berticelli was a passionate advocate for coaching education. He served as the Director of Coaching Education for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and was a member of the NSCAA Board of Directors. He also played a key role in creating the United Soccer Coaches Award for Excellence in Coaching Education, an award that has since been renamed in his honor. 

During his soccer playing days at UMF, Berticelli was coached by head coach Roy Gordon, a renowned soccer coach around the country. Gordon served as NSCAA president in 1998 and has since had a United Soccer Coaches Foundation Fund named in his honor. Gordon had this to say of Berticelli, “I have taken great pride in watching Mike become one of the leaders of the soccer community across the United States”. Berticelli was on track to become the President of the NSCAA (United Soccer Coaches) in 2002.

Berticelli remained a steadfast supporter of the University of Maine at Farmington, its athletic department, and the men’s soccer team throughout his career. “Mike was a great recruiter and a salesman of the game. As he moved from small Division III programs to top Division I programs such as Notre Dame, he never forgot his local roots,” said longtime UMF men’s soccer head coach Bob Leib.

His legacy continues to inspire aspiring coaches and players alike. Berticelli’s dedication, knowledge and unwavering commitment to excellence have left an impression on the world of collegiate soccer. His 24-year career mark was 291-135-42. He received coach-of-the-year honors in 10 different seasons, including 1982 when he was named NCAA Division III Coach of the Year.

Berticelli, who played both soccer and basketball at Maine-Farmington, also earned a master’s degree from the University of Maine-Orono in 1976. Born April 26, 1951, Berticelli is survived by his wife, Cinda, and two sons — Nino, a 1999 Notre Dame graduate, and Anthony, a junior at the University. Berticelli will be inducted posthumously.