Ed Kositzki, head coach of the Forester men's soccer team from 1994-2006 and a volunteer assistant for the women's soccer team since 2011, will be recognized for his 13 years on each program's staff with the Golden Whistle Award at the Forester Athletic Recognition Ceremony during the College's Homecoming festivities on October 5.
The Golden Whistle Award is one of two major honors sponsored by the Forester Athletic Network (F.A.N. Club) and recognizes individuals who, over several years, have made significant contributions to Lake Forest College Athletics and its Tradition of Excellence as a coach. Kositzki will join past recipients Reid Ingersoll, Ken Klein, and Sally Booy as Golden Whistle Award winners.
"Coach K is one of a kind and we are so fortunate and grateful to have had his warm personality and exceptional coaching acumen on the sidelines for 26 years," began Lake Forest College Vice President for Athletics and Career Advancement Jackie Slaats. "He has provided leadership on and off the field to countless Foresters and we are excited to honor him this fall."
Kositzki posted an overall record of 136-74-9 (.642) and Midwest Conference mark of 82-32-6 (.708) in his 13 years as head men's soccer coach. He led the 1995 and 1996 squads to back-to-back league titles and claimed his third conference championship in 2001. His players were named all-conference 54 times, including 28 to the first team, and also garnered 29 Academic All-Midwest Conference distinctions. Kositzki was named MWC Coach of the Year in 1995, 1996, and 2000 and his victory total in conference games still ranks fifth in league history .
The Foresters qualified for the four-team MWC Tournament in 10 of Kositzki's 13 seasons and their 17-1-0 record in 1995 is still the best in team annals.
Five years after stepping down as head men's soccer coach, Kositzki returned to the College as a volunteer assistant for the women's team in 2011 and has worked primarily with the offense over the last 13 seasons. Lake Forest is 139-72-22 overall and 77-21-11 in MWC play with four conference championships and three NCAA Division III Tournament appearances since he joined the staff. The Foresters shattered the school record with 79 goals in 2014 and have averaged more than 45 scores over the last 12 full seasons.
In the men's and women's programs combined, Kositzki has coached more than 270 soccer players during his 26 years at the College.
"I am extremely honored to be the recipient of this award and am grateful to so many people who made it possible," commented Kositzki. "[Former head men's soccer coach] Tony Fritz recommended me for the position, Jackie Slaats hired me, and T.R. Bell gave me the opportunity to coach women's soccer for many great retirement years. However, the most important people were all the players — both men and women — who had enough trust in me to allow me to influence some part of their lives beyond soccer."
The Forester Athletic Recognition Ceremony will take place on October 5 at 11:00 a.m. and will be held in the Lake Forest College Sports and Recreation Center. Kositzki will also be honored on the field at halftime of the football and women's soccer games against Knox, which begin at 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively.
