USL Richmond Kickers

New Kickers Technical Staff Announced

Published on April 11, 2012 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


RICHMOND, VA - (Wednesday, April 11, 2012) - The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the addition of Mark Stollsteimer and Ross MacKenzie to the full-time technical staff, effective June 15, 2012.

"We are excited for Ross and Mark to join the Kickers technical staff full time," commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. "Both firmly believe in our development philosophy, structure and dedication to our community. We were impressed with their desire to continue to raise the overall quality of our programming and to be a pivotal part of our organization long term. They are both passionate about working for the Kickers and we look forward to them making a positive impact on our players."

As a Richmond Kickers Assistant Technical Director, Stollsteimer will be fully integrated across all levels of programming, working closely alongside the Kickers technical staff to guide the strategic direction of the club. In addition to coaching three Kickers travel teams, he will assist with Kickers soccer camps, tryouts, recreational clinics, and winter and summer training.

With 14 years of experience as a head coach at the NCAA Division II and III levels, Stollsteimer spent 12 years as head coach at Davis and Elkins College and two years at Millikin University. He brings over 10 years of experience as President, Technical Director and Director of Coaching for three different soccer clubs, serving most recently as Director of Coaching at the Bolton Wanderers Futbol Club of Illinois.

"Since coming to the University of Richmond to be a student-athlete, the city of Richmond has been a second home for me and I'm excited to settle here again this time with my family," said Stollsteimer. "I am even more excited to become part of the Richmond Kickers, an organization I have long considered to be a model soccer club for this country."

Stollsteimer was a four-year starter at the University of Richmond, earning All-State and All-Region honors his senior year. He holds a Masters of Science in Athletic Coaching Education from West Virginia University and a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma.

Continuing the strong tradition of hiring from within the organization, the Kickers have selected MacKenzie to be an Assistant Technical Director, to manage the Kickers U9 program while overseeing the Advanced Development Program (ADP). Having led Kickers ADP at four locations throughout Richmond for three seasons, he will now oversee all aspects of player development for future Kickers travel players ages 6-9.

A current Richmond Kickers professional player, MacKenzie has made 37 appearances with the Kickers pro team over three seasons and notched a pair of assists during the Kickers historic run to the U.S. Open Cup Semifinals in 2011. Before signing with the Kickers in 2009, MacKenzie registered four goals and four assists during his rookie professional season with the Wilmington Hammerheads, joining the Carolina RailHawks of the USL First Division in 2008.

A 2006 graduate of Old Dominion University, MacKenzie captained the Monarchs to the Sweet 16 his senior year. Finishing third on the team in points with 13 that season, the native of Paisley, Scotland tallied 14 goals and added 13 assists for 41 points during his collegiate career. Selected to the All-District, All-Metro, All-Region and All-State First Teams as a senior at Clover Hill High School in Midlothian, VA, MacKenzie notched 29 goals and added 20 assists over two seasons.

"The addition of Mark and Ross to the full time Technical Staff is consistent with the club's philosophy of creating the best possible player development environment for all youth soccer players in the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club," added Ihor Dotsenko, Richmond Kickers Technical Director. "Both Mark and Ross were carefully selected to ensure that their approach to player development is consistent with the club's vision and that they share the same core values as the rest of the club. We feel that Mark and Ross bring tremendous value to the club and are excited to have them become an integral part of the Kickers family."

With the recent acquisition of Midlothian Youth Soccer League (MYSL), John Addison and Holly Angel will assume leadership of the entire Kickers recreational program following the Spring 2012 season. With a combined 40 years of experience, Addison will continue to oversee the technical direction of the Kickers rec programs, while Angel will serve as Director of Recreational Operations for all locations, including Hensley Park, Ukrop Park, Providence Middle School and Union Theological Seminary.

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