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Cornell College

Mount Vernon, IA 52314
Iowa Midwest
Private Small Developing team
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Jose Fajardo

Fajardo, an accomplished soccer player and coach on many fronts, was hired in December 2015 to lead Cornell College’s women’s soccer program.


Fajardo guided the Rams to Midwest Conference Tournament appearances in 2022 and 2019. His memorable 2019 squad, picked eighth in the MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll, finished 12-6-2 and earned the program's first postseason berth in 11 years as the No. 2 seed in the MWC Tournament. The 2019 Rams recorded the third-most wins in school history and posted 10 shutouts.


The competitive 2018 team recorded six shutouts and allowed only 1.52 goals per match. Fajardo inherited a 2-15 team in his first year at the helm in 2016.


A native of Seville, Spain, Fajardo brings a wealth of soccer experience to the Hilltop, including as a professional player overseas. He has been head coach at Iowa City High School since 1998, the past 20 years directing the City High boys’ team.


Fajardo has compiled a 406-117-1 overall record in 27 seasons coaching the Iowa City High boys and girls soccer programs. He's led the boys program to multiple state tournaments, highlighted by runner-up showings in 2022, 2016, 2013 and 2010. Fajardo was named Class 3A Boys State Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2010.


Fajardo posted an impressive 108-14 mark with the girls team from 1998-2004, leading the Little Hawks to six consecutive MVC championships and three state tournament appearances (4th place in 2001, 3rd in 2002 and 2003). Fajardo was twice voted MVC Girls Coach of the Year.


Since 2011, Fajardo has spent time in Scottsdale, Ariz., with Sereno Soccer Club as director of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), the top league in the country for girls 14-18. Fajardo’s 2013 team was crowned ECNL national champions.


Fajardo was a top-flight professional player in Spain, which featured stints with Granada Club de Futbol (1988-91, 1994-96), Real Club Recreativo de Huelva (1993-94) and Real Betis Balompie (1991-94). He was a member of the Spanish National Team for multiple years, including the U20 World Cup squad.


Fajardo played on the Andalucia regional team that captured U15 and U16 national championships. He was named “Best Midfielder” at the U15 national tournament and awarded the “Future Star” trophy on the Spanish U16 National Team.


Fajardo graduated from the University of Sevilla in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in sports leisure and history. He speaks native Spanish, English and Portuguese. Fajardo earned his USSF “B” License in 2000 and has held the USSF “A” License – U.S. soccer’s highest professional license – since 2001-02.


Fajardo held previous full-time positions as technical director and head coach of Eastern Iowa United (2010-11), Iowa Soccer Club-Eastern Iowa United (2004-10) and Iowa City Alliance Soccer Club (1997-2004). Fajardo was head women’s coach at Mount Mercy College (1997-98) and volunteer women’s assistant at the University of Iowa (2004-05).


Fajardo has worked collegiate soccer camps at the University of Notre Dame (2001-present), Stanford University (2003-08) and Indiana University (2006-10).


Fajardo and his wife Susan reside in Iowa City with their son Micah, 11, and daughter Monet, 8.

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Nate Grosse

Nate Grosse (pronounced GROW-see) is Cornell's all-time winningest men's soccer coach, elevating the program to new heights since taking the reins in December 2013.


Grosse's 2021 Rams established a school record for wins in a season (15-4), tied for first place in the Midwest Conference regular season (7-1) and made the program's first appearance in a conference championship match since 1982.


Grosse orchestrated a breakthrough 2018 campaign that culminated with a 14-3-2 record and the program's first berth in the MWC Tournament since 1991. He was named MWC Coach of the Year in 2017, one year after leading the 2016 Rams (8-6-4) to the program's first winning season in 25 years.


Grosse carries a 56-58-12 record at Cornell and owns the top four season win totals in program history. He has coached 10 all-MWC performers, two all-region selections, two MWC Newcomers of the Year and one MWC Defensive Player of the Year.


Grosse, a native of Omaha, Neb., was an assistant on Cornell's men’s soccer staff during the 2013 fall season.


Prior to his arrival in Mount Vernon, Grosse spent seven years coaching and teaching at St. Laurence High School in Burbank, Ill. He was head varsity boys’ soccer coach for three seasons, winning two Chicago Catholic League championships (2011, 2012) and claiming a regional title in 2012.


Grosse was named Chicago Catholic League Soccer Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2012. His 2012 squad advanced to a sectional final (round of 16) in the Illinois High School State Tournament.


Grosse carries more than 15 years of soccer coaching experience. He headed a high school program in Lima, Peru, from 2001-03, prior to serving as instructor for the Creighton University Soccer Academy (2000-01). Grosse has coached club soccer in Chicago and around the Midwest.


Grosse played one season at Truman State University (1997-98), and then went on to the University of Nebraska Omaha where he was a three-year starter on its club team. Grosse was a member of the Omaha Burke High School team that reached the state finals four consecutive years (1994-97).


Grosse earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2005. He owns a National D Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation and is a current member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Grosse has earned an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, NSCAA National Diploma-Distinguished Pass as well as NSCAA Special Topics Diplomas.


Grosse and his wife, Loli, reside in Lisbon with their four children.

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