Eric Luzzi Hometown: Chicago High School: St. Ignatius Position: Head Coach Experience: Third Season Alma Mater: St. Mary's (Minn.), 1997

A mind for the game.

A heart for the players.

Talk to anyone who knows Northern Illinois Head Men's Soccer Coach Eric Luzzi, and those two points surface almost immediately.

"Eric is a guy that cares about his players," were among the first words to come from Northwestern coach Tim Lenahan on hearing that Luzzi had been named the eighth head coach in NIU history.

Mike Avery, the leader of Valparaiso's program added, "Eric is very smart, speaks well, is a great teacher, works very hard, and has a great passion for the game and the players."

Those were among the many attributes that convinced NIU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff Compher to promote Luzzi from associate head coach to head coach on July 1, 2009.

In just one season as head coach, Luzzi has made an indelible impression on the Northern Illinois soccer program. The Huskies tied No. 1 North Carolina in Chapel Hill in his second game as at the helm. Luzzi's inaugural season also saw standout victories over Oregon State, Wisconsin, and Milwaukee to retain the Lewang Cup. NIU finished the year 10-8-1, making Luzzi the first NIU men's soccer coach since 1969 to have a winning record in his opening season.

Luzzi was promoted to associate head coach of the Huskies in March 2009, a reward for his commitment and loyalty to NIU during his tenure. In 2006, he helped guide Northern Illinois to the Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament championships. That year, under the tutelage of Luzzi, goalkeeper Joe Zimka set an NCAA record for goals allowed average, and the Huskies set the NIU record for shutouts in a season with 14. In 2008, Luzzi was part of the staff that coached the Huskies to eight shutouts, a win over No. 2-ranked SMU, and a trip to the MAC Championship game for the second time in three years.

"All the pieces are here to continue competing for championships," Luzzi said. "We have great facilities, we have been in the top-25 for the last six years, we have a top schedule, and, most importantly, we have a terrific group of committed student-athletes."

A consummate Chicagoan, Luzzi followed up a stellar prep goalkeeping career at St. Ignatius High School as a four-year letterman and starting keeper at Saint Mary's (Minnesota). His résumé includes two campaigns as head coach for Schaumburg High School prior to his return to his alma mater, where he spent five seasons guiding the Cardinals.

"We're in Chicagoland, and that's a big deal because this is my home," Luzzi said. "Leading a program that I've invested so much in over the last four years, and one that is close to my home is exciting."

Compher agreed that Luzzi's Chicago ties are part of what makes the 34-year-old the right fit for Northern Illinois.

"He is a Chicago native with deep roots in the soccer community in this area, going back not only to his days as a high school coach, but to his days as a high school player," Compher said.

Despite living in the area much of his life, Luzzi didn't make his first trip to DeKalb until June of 1999. Upon arrival, he saw a program he dreamed of one day leading.

"I remember thinking to myself, `the potential for this place is incredible,' and how Northern Illinois should be competing for championships every single year," Luzzi said. "The fact that literally 10 years to the week after that, I got the opportunity to lead the team in competing for those championships is special."

The son of Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) Hall of Famer and long-time St. Ignatius head coach Jim Luzzi, the younger Luzzi has also logged seven summers working with the Olympic Development Program (ODP), including the United States Soccer Federation's Region II. In the winter of 2006, Luzzi was named head goalkeepers coach for USSF Region II ODP. During the summer of 2007, Luzzi traveled to France with the U-18 ODP squad as an assistant coach.

Luzzi holds a USSF National "A" License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and Level III National Goalkeeping License, a USSF Youth License and a Dutch Soccer Federation Youth Coaching Certificate. A 1997 graduate of Saint Mary's, Luzzi earned a bachelor of arts in social science education and will complete his master's in human development from SMU this December.

Luzzi married the former Kim Rodr in May of 2009. The two live in DeKalb with their dog Bob.