Mike Koperda begins his second season as Rhode Island College's head women’s soccer and lacrosse coach.

“It is an absolute honor, pleasure and opportunity to begin coaching women’s soccer and lacrosse at Rhode Island College,” Koperda said. “With the cost of education today, the opportunity for student-athletes to succeed both academically and athletically has never been better.”

Koperda has over 30 years of industry experience in both professional and collegiate athletics. He most recently served as the General Manager and owner of the Family Soccer Center (FSC) in Norwich, NY from 1999-2008, where he oversaw and coached a variety of soccer and lacrosse leagues, tournaments, camps, clinics and training. During this time span, Koperda served as the Head Coach of FSC’s travel select team program, the New York Dash Soccer Club. He was the Head Boys Varsity Soccer Coach at Rome (NY) Free Academy High School for two seasons as well.

He spent four years as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Morrisville State College, compiling a 37-34-2 career record, from 1999-2002. Koperda restored a winning tradition to the Mustangs’ soccer program during his time there. The four years prior to his arrival, Morrisville State was 23-40-3, a 61 percent improvement in victories. He was nominated for Adidas Coach of the Year during the 1999 season.

During his tenure, the Mustangs spent time in the national rankings, with the highest being eighth. Koperda led Morrisville State to its first postseason berth in seven seasons in 1999, reaching the semifinals of the Northeast Region. He coached three All-Americans and six All-Regional selections.

He was a member of the Syracuse Blitz’s Premier Soccer Club’s coaching staff from 1996-2003 and the Head Youth Soccer Coach of Deerfield (NY) AYSO for 18 years (1990-2007).

He formally was an Olympic Development Program (ODP) coach in New York state, as well as, a National Staff Coach for the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO). 

Koperda spent four years in professional baseball sports management from 1978-81, while working for the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets organizations. He was featured in The Sporting News as the U.S.'s youngest General Manager in professional baseball during the 1981 season, while running a farm team for the New York Mets. He was nominated for the General Manager of the year that same season.

He is the founder of Soccer Saves Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization that financially helps underprivileged youth with outstanding soccer skills who are looking to pursue a career in collegiate soccer. It received a full page featured story in an issue of the New York Times in October of 2006.

He is currently a member of the state of Rhode Island's Women's Lacrosse Board of Director's, representing college Women's Lacrosse.

He owns a variety of soccer coaching licenses, the highest of which is a German "A" license badge, in addition to numerous USSF, NSCAA and AYSO certifications.

Koperda is a 2006 graduate of Empire State College, earning a bachelor's degree in professional studies. He earned a master’s degree in sports management from Cortland State in 2007. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in sports management.

Koperda resides in Greenville, Rhode Island. He has two sons, Kenneth (24) and Joseph (16).