Notre Dame Soccer Coach Dies
Notre Dame men's soccer coach Mike Berticelli died Tuesday at his home, apparently from a heart attack. He was 48.
Berticelli, who became the Irish head coach in 1990, compiled a 104-80-19 record over 10 seasons and led Notre Dame teams to the NCAA tournament in 1993, '94 and '96.
His 1996 team, which finished 17th in the final Soccer America poll, upset second-ranked North Carolina-Greensboro 1-0 in the first round, Notre Dame's first win in the NCAA men's tournament.
After winning consecutive Midwestern Collegiate Conference championships in 1993 and 1994 with Notre Dame, Berticelli led the Irish to the Big East Tournament title in 1996 in their second season in the league.
The Lewiston, Maine, native previously coached at Old Dominion, Thomas College and North Carolina-Greensboro, where he led the team to NCAA Division III titles in 1982 and 1983.
His 24-year career record was 291-135-42. He received coach of the year honors in 10 different seasons, including 1982, when he was voted NCAA Division III coach of the year.
Born April 26, 1951, Berticelli played soccer and basketball at the Maine-Farmington and was graduated in 1973. He also earned a master's degree from Maine-Orono in 1976.
Berticelli is survived by his wife, Cinda, and two sons Nino, a 1999 Notre Dame graduate, and Anthony, a junior at the university.
A Funeral Mass was scheduled for Friday at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus.
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