RELEASED:  Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Fuschino Named UW-Platteville Soccer Coach

Platteville, Wis.--Enzo Fuschino is the new coach on the bench for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's and women's soccer teams. Just don't expect him to use that bench too much.

"I'm very active," Fuschino said. "I like to transfer the energy and passion for the game I have to the players, not by telling them what to do all the time but by being there and making sure they know I'm there. I'm very energetic,and I rarely sit. I see other coaches on the benches or chairs, and I can't do that. I have to be up and I pace the sidelines. I'm very respectful of the players, coaches and referees. I just want to show my team I am there for them, and I have the energy. I'm very passionate about soccer."

Fuschino (pronounced Foos-KEY-no) becomes the 10th coach in the 42-year history of the Pioneer men's program and the seventh coach in the women's program, which will celebrate its 15th year in the fall.

"We're very happy to have Enzo Fuschino join us as our new soccer coach," Pioneer Athletic Director Mark Molesworth. "Everyone we talked to spoke very highly of him, his passion for the game and his outstanding character. We are extremely excited for our programs to go in this direction."

The former Madison LaFollette High School coach also is eager to begin with the Pioneers.

"I'm very excited," Fuschino said. "It's a new experience for me, and I can't wait to get started.I'm just very thrilled. UW-Platteville has great academic and athletic traditions. I know a lot of people who have played here or gone to school here or worked here or coached here, and I feel like I already have a good vibe from here. I feel a good connection to the university."

Fuschino was the boys' head coach at LaFollette from 2001 to 2006 and previously served as the Lancers' girls' coach. In addition, he has coached both boys and girls at Stoughton High School (1996-99), then several successful club teams, including the Princeton Soccer Club and the Madison 56ers, and for the Wisconsin Boys' Olympic Development Program.

"I've made good connections throughout southern Wisconsin, from Milwaukee to Madison, and that will definitely give me an edge in recruiting," he said. "It's not only high schools, but also club teams. I've dealt with some of the best kids not only in the state but in the entire region."

He played for the Unione Sportiva Melizzano in the Amateur Italian League in 1980-85 and for A.S. Arbia from 1986 to 1989 in what is now Italy's C2 league. Fuschino, who moved to the United States in 1989, earned his bachelor's degree in French and Italian at the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1994 and his master's degree in Italian Literature from UW-Madison in 1997. Fuschino has taught Italian and classical mythology at LaFollette, where he earned three teacher of the month awards. In addition to coaching soccer, Fuschino will have teaching responsibilities at UW-Platteville.

He will take over Pioneer programs that play in the largest NCAA Division III stadium in the country, the 10,000-seat Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. The new coach is excited to see the Pioneers on the Pro-Grass surface for the first time and began teaching his style of play, which he says doesn't fit any one category.

"I like effective, positive possession soccer," he said. "I like to watch my players move the ball around with a purpose. I also like offensive soccer, but I'll build my team from the back. Being Italian, I like a strong defense. I like the strategic part of the game very much. It's like a chess game, the way I see it. It's a beautiful game. If we play it the way it's supposed to be played, we'll see good results."

Fuschino and his wife, Jennifer, have two daughters, Maria, 14, and Jessie 13.