SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—On December 17, Wittenberg University announced the hiring of Head Coach Dwight Burgess to become the 10th head coach to lead the Tiger's Men's Soccer team beginning in the fall of 2016. Burgess officially becomes the permanent replacement for Steve Dawson, who served as Wittenberg's men's coach for 32 seasons.
Dwight Burgess brings to Wittenberg University an extensive and broad based resume of experience. Dwight began his collegiate career as an Assistant Coach for The Ohio State University men's program and went on to spend a decade at Capital University serving for 10 years as the Head Men's Soccer Coach and eight as the Head Women's Soccer Coach.
"We could not be more pleased with the work our search committee did to help us in attracting such a strong candidate pool. We are excited to have a respected and experienced coach of Dwight's caliber to emerge from this group and agree to lead our men's soccer program," said Wittenberg Athletic Director Dr. Gary Williams. "Dwight has first-hand experience in building a team into a regionally and nationally competitive program and we are excited to see the impact he will make both on and off the field with our athletes and the Wittenberg community."
While in Bexley, Dwight's teams earned six conference championships and three NCAA Tournament bids, winning 186 games. Dwight has been recognized as "Coach of the Year" on numerous occasions at the Conference, State and Regional levels. He was also nominated for the NSCAA National Division III Coach of the Year Award. Off the field Dwight served a four-year term as the Great Lakes Region Chair to the NCAA Men's Division III National Championship Committee.
Dwight has coached at all levels of the youth game, including high school and club soccer, as a member of the Ohio South Olympic Development Program State Staff and as a Clinician in various capacities on behalf of the NSCAA, Columbus Crew SC and Major League Soccer.
An accomplished player, Dwight split his college career between DePauw University and the University of Dayton, was named Captain for a pair of Regional teams participating in international Friendlies and Dwight was twice selected to development camps for the United States Men's National Program.
Dwight just completed his 20th season as the TV play-by-play broadcaster for Columbus Crew SC and has called the action for a variety of national and international soccer events, including XM Satellite Radio's 2006 FIFA World Cup coverage.
"I couldn't be anymore excited for this opportunity at Wittenberg University and would really like to thank Athletic Director Gary Williams and Assistant Athletic Director Matt Croci who chaired the search committee," said Burgess.
"This was an easy choice for me after spending 18 years at Capital. I understand what it takes to win in the NCAC and at Wittenberg. The outstanding academics, what the recruiting has to offer, not to mention the current and future facility and playing in one of the best Division III conferences in the country, all speak to Wittenberg's reputation," said Burgess.
Dwight is married with three children, he has a Masters Degree from The Ohio State University and possesses multiple coaching licenses and certifications.
Written By: Kuris Duggan