Men's Soccer Coaches

Head Coach Keith O’Connor returns this fall for his fifth season with the Centenary College men’s soccer program. 

Over his four year campaign with the Cyclones, O’Connor has made huge strides in getting the Cyclone Men’s Soccer team to the competitive level they now play on in the newly named CSAC (Colonial States Athletic Conference).  Last fall, his Cyclone Men finished the year at 8-9-1 overall and 3-5 in the conference.  The team closed out the year with a pair of conference victories on the road, to pull themselves to within their eventual record.  His 2006 team posted an overall record of 11-10; the most wins by a Cyclone team since 1999, and placed third in the Skyline standings with a mark of 6-3-0, the program’s best conference finish since joining the Skyline in 2003.  Along the way, the Cyclones earned an ECAC Metro Region Tournament berth and for his efforts, O’Connor was named the Skyline Conference’s Coach of the Year.  In addition to the wins and losses, O’Connor has had the opportunity to coach three NSCAA Academic All-Americans in his first three years with Centenary.

A native of Ridgewood, New Jersey, O’Connor earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Loyola College, MD in 1999.

After his collegiate playing career ended, he began his coaching career at his high school alma mater as the head Junior Varsity coach.  While at Ridgewood, he led the Maroons to a two-season record of 23-9-5 and berths in the Bergen County Tournament Semi-Finals in 2000 and Finals in 1999.  The team also won the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League-A title in 2000.  He then moved on to the University of Delaware where he served as an assistant to Head Coach Marc Samonisky.

While at the University of Delaware, O’Connor, was actively involved with the organization, development, and implementation of a nationally competitive Division I men’s soccer program.  He assisted in organizing and implementing practice and training procedures for the development and improvement of individuals and team skills, as well as successfully identifying, selecting, and recruiting prospective student-athletes who display the athletic and academic talents and ability to successfully compete in the NCAA. He also assisted with coordinating the development and implementation of fundraising activities.

He also coached the AC Milan club team in 2002 and 2003.  During his two years with AC Milan, the team has advanced to the U-17 Delaware State Cup finals in 2003 and the U-16 semi-finals in 2002.  O’Connor also served as a player assessor for the Delaware Olympic Development Program (ODP).

As a player, O’Connor enjoyed a successful playing career at the high school, club, and collegiate levels.  After being the first freshman to start for the varsity squad in Ridgewood High School history, he quickly made his mark.  In his four years at Ridgewood, he captained the team for two years, captured one Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League Championship, two Bergen County Tournament Championships, and two New Jersey State Sectional titles.  He earned such accolades as all-league, all-area, all-county, and all-state.  He was also named one of the top twenty-two players in the state in his junior and senior years.  O’Connor completed his high school career as one of the school’s all-time great players.  He still ranks among the Maroons career leaders in points (second), goals (third), and assists (first).

He was also a member of the New Jersey Olympic Development Program teams from U-13 to U-15.  He also captained the Wyckoff Torpedoes Premier Soccer Club team when it captured the U-19 New Jersey State Cup club championship and was named the Snickers Youth Soccer National Championship Most Valuable Player.  O’Connor was recruited to Loyola College, MD and played four seasons in 1994-1999, helping lead the regionally ranked men’s soccer team to an impressive 50-29-6 record, two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships and two NCAA Play-In appearances in the 1994 and 1995 seasons.

His accreditations include a United States Soccer Federation ‘B’ coaching license and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Advanced National Diploma.  O’Connor and his wife, Ellen, currently reside in Pennsylvania with their daughter Cadence.

Steve Bodei returns for his third season with the Centenary College Men’s Soccer Program and second as the top assistant coach .

He assists head coach Keith O’Connor in all aspects of the Cyclone program, including academic advising, practice and conditioning, recruiting, game operations and management, alumni relations and community service projects. He is also the assistant director of the Cyclones Soccer Academy.

In addition to his work with the Cyclones, Bodei has coached in the youth system of the Independence Soccer Club from 2004-2005 and the Hackettstown Soccer Club since 2004.

A native of Hackettstown, NJ, Bodei attended Centenary College from 2002-2005. During his tenure, the Cyclones center back co-captained the team in his junior and senior years and was recognized as an excellent defender.  As the anchor of the back four, Bodei received the team’s coveted Cyclone Award (team most valueable player) in 2004 and was recognized a year later with the Centenary College Athletic Department’s Cardy Gemma Award as the outstanding Senior male athlete.

Steve was also an acknowledged student-athlete in the classroom.  He was selected as an NSCAA All-Region Scholar twice and was an ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American.  As well as earning Dean’s List marks every semester in his college career, Bodei was honored as the Centenary College Scholar Athlete of the Year Award three times. 

Bodei received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a concentration in Social Studies Education. He is currently working towards a Masters in Leadership and Public Administration.

Before his Cyclone in debut 2002, Steve led Hackettstown High School to its first ever New Jersey State Sectional Title and Group III State Championship in his senior season.
Coach Bodei currently holds a NSCAA National Diploma and is currently working towards the next level within the association.

Bodei currently resides in Hackettstown.