Collegiate soccer in the Northeast just got a lot more exciting.

“We are thrilled to bring men’s soccer back to Pleasantville and thank Kenda Sports Group for their visionary gift and support to lead this initiative,” says Pace Athletic Director Mark Brown.

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After a 35-year hiatus, men’s soccer is back at Pace. The beautiful game will return to Pleasantville thanks in large part to the Kenda Sports group, who will be contributing $500,000 over a 5-year period to accelerate the men’s soccer program’s concept from vision and ideas into reality, aiming to grow the sport of soccer in the Hudson Valley and expand on the University's NCAA Division II sports sponsorship.

The team will be coached by Edward Evans, who has served on the staff of the women's soccer team since 2013, and became head coach in 2024.

“A lot of local youth and high school coaches are super excited about the re-addition of men’s soccer at Pace University,” said Evans. “We have full 18-game schedule, and our roster will give a local and regional feel to it.. We’re really looking forward to next Fall.”

Once regarded as a sport for the rest of the world, soccer continues to explode in popularity in the US, with its growth being driven by a younger, more diverse audience than the other major sports. Major League Soccer, which was not even in existence at the time of the last Pace men’s soccer season, continues to smash attendance records and has built a considerable roster of talent—most notably, international superstar Lionel Messi. With men’s soccer back in the fold, Pace is strategically positioned to capitalize on the positive momentum surrounding the sport in general.

Although Pace’s men’s soccer program has been dormant, its influence on American soccer has not been. Take the example of Mike Jacobs ‘92; an alumnus of the program, Jacobs has risen through the ranks of the soccer world following his playing career as a goalkeeper and is now the general manager of Major League Soccer’s Nashville SC.

“My experience at Pace helped formulate so much of who I am today,“ says Jacobs. “The idea that other kids will have the same experience that I did as a student, I'm just really excited about the fact that there will be men’s soccer at Pace again.”

“My experience at Pace helped formulate so much of who I am today. The idea that other kids will have the same experience that I did as a student, I'm just really excited about the fact that there will be men’s soccer at Pace again.”

The entire Pace Community shares Jacobs’ enthusiasm. On the Pleasantville Campus, the addition of men’s soccer will also serve to increase enrollment, while simultaneously enhancing the vibrancy of the overall student experience.

“The addition of men’s soccer will allow us to increase male enrollment by 20–25 students and create an additional 8–10 campus life opportunities with home games for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the surrounding Pleasantville community, all while better meeting the needs of our current students,” notes Brown.

As Jacobs explains, the new members of the Pace men’s soccer squad—which will kick off its “re-inaugural” season in 2025—will undoubtedly raise the profile of the University both on and off the field.

“As a student-athlete, the skills I gained in time management—having to balance practice, working out, classes—there's a reason why so many companies look to hire former collegiate student-athletes,” adds Jacobs. “ They've mastered time management, can work in small and large groups, and are also very goal oriented.”

To keep current on developments–including announcements on recruitment, coaching staff, and more–be sure to stay up to date with Pace Athletics by visiting their website and following @PaceAthletics. Until the fall, the bright lights at Northwell Stadium eagerly await.