Coaches

Mindy Quigg

Mindy Quigg completed her 29th year at Ithaca in 2022. Hired in 1994 as the program’s fourth head coach, she has become the program’s winningest coach, posting a record of 376-124-60 (.725). Ithaca has earned 22 NCAA playoff berths during her career, including trips to the national semifinals in 1998 and 2011 and NCAA quarterfinal appearances in 1996, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2013.


The 2022 campaign saw the Bombers capture the Liberty League Conference Championship, defeating William Smith in penalty kicks. The program made its 29th appearance in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament where they won their first round matchup against Capital University but fell to Case Western Reserve University in the second round. Quigg and her assistant coaches picked up United Soccer Coaches Region III Coaching Staff of the Year recognition following the outstanding season.


During the 2021 season, the Bombers returned to the NCAA Championship for the first time since 2018. Quigg coached forward Alex Epifani to three All-American selections over her career at Ithaca; the fourth three-time All-American in program history.


Quigg was the Ithaca Journal’s selection as female coach of the year following the 1998 "final four" season and earned the honor again in 2008, 2009 and 2013. She was also honored as the Empire Athletic Association (EAA) co-coach of the year in 1994 and as the NSCAA regional coach of the year in 1996 and 2012. In 2003 she shared the NYSWCAA’s Coach of the Year award and a year later she was named Empire 8 Coach of the Year. Quigg went on to be named Empire 8 Coach of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2009. 2012 and 2013. Quigg added to her list of accolades in 2018, as she and her staff were named Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year for the first time since joining the league.


Quigg came to Ithaca after three years as the women’s soccer coach at West Virginia Wesleyan. She guided the Bobcats to a 38-18 record and two district runner-up finishes. Her overall coaching record stands at 414-142-60.


She served on the NCAA Women's Soccer New York Region Committee from 1995 to 2000 and again from 2004 to 2006. Quigg chaired the Empire 8 women's soccer committee from 2008 to 2010.


Quigg earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from William Smith in 1989 and her master’s in business administration from West Virginia Wesleyan in 1992. She was a captain and goalkeeper for William Smith’s 1988 national champion team.


Quigg set a school record with 325 saves, and the Herons were 56-10-6 during her college career.


In addition to her soccer duties at Ithaca, Quigg is an instructor in the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance.

Javier Mejia

Ithaca College women's head coach Mindy Quigg, now in her 28th season at IC, has announced that Francisco Javier Mejia-Blau will serve as the next assistant coach for the upcoming 2021 season. The Bombers, who haven't played since November 2, 2019, will officially begin their season at home on September 1 against Elmira College at 4 p.m.


"I am proud to welcome Javi to our Bomber program," said Quigg. "Javi brings to Ithaca a wealth of coaching experience along with a dynamic personality and unbridled enthusiasm for the athletic and educational experience. His contributions will extend far beyond the soccer fields and will enrich our entire Ithaca College community."


Most recently, Mejia worked with the South Shore Select Soccer Club in Hingham, Mass. as a staff coach and director of college advising and consulting. He worked with all age ranges and skill levels at the club and developed recruiting curriculum, aided in the exploration of colleges and universities to fit players' academic and athletic needs, and instructed on NCAA rules and regulations.


Before his role with South Shore Select, Mejia served as an assistant coach at Syracuse University during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. While at Syracuse, Mejia learned and instructed under U.S. Women's National Olympic Team and World Cup coach Phil Wheddon.


"I am extremely excited to become a part of the Ithaca College family," stated Mejia. "This is a fantastic institution of higher education, a traditionally successful athletics department and a top-notch women's soccer program. I owe head coach Mindy Quigg, Director of Athletics Susan Bassett '79 and the rest of the search committee a debt of gratitude for allowing me to join them. I look forward to helping the talented young women of Ithaca College women's soccer grow as people, students and athletes and I can't wait to get started."


Prior to his appointment at Syracuse, Mejia was the men's soccer head coach at Emerson College in Boston, Mass. for two seasons in 2015 and 2016. During those two seasons, Mejia coached five all-conference players and 13 academic all-conference honorees, as well as being selected as NSCAA Team Academic recipients twice.


Mejia has also spent time at Assumption College, Tufts University and Brandeis University as an assistant, and his coaching career dates back to 2004. In addition to his coaching experience at the collegiate level, Mejia was an assistant with the Boston Breakers – a professional women's soccer team – in 2010.


As an undergraduate, Mejia played one season at Hartford University before transferring to Emerson in 2001. He played three seasons with the Lions and was a two-year captain, guiding the program to 14 victories in 2004.


He earned his bachelor's in marketing communications and his master's in recreation and sports sciences with a concentration in coaching from Ohio University. He also holds certifications in coaching and goalkeeping from the United Soccer Coaches.


Mejia is also a member of several advocacy groups - Latino Coaches, Black Soccer Coaches, LGBTQ & Allies, and Women Coaches. Mejia also completed his master's certificate from the Pennsylvania West University in Sports Counseling and Student-Athlete Mental Wellness program during the summer of 2022.

Garret Eldridge

Garret Eldridge was promoted to head coach of the Ithaca College men's soccer program in May 2020 after two years as an assistant for the Bombers.


"I am incredibly grateful and excited to have been chosen as the Head Men's Soccer Coach at Ithaca College," said Eldridge. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Susan Bassett, Associate Athletic Directors Will Rothermel and Erienne Roberts for the opportunity to lead the program. I am beyond humbled to be able to continue my career with an athletic department with such established success both on the field and in the classroom. I look forward to competing each day to continue the tradition of excellence here at Ithaca College."


He earned his first-ever win as a head coach during the 2021 season in thrilling fashion leading the Bombers to a 2-1 (OT) victory over Medaille College in the season-opener. He led the Bombers to a 8-6-6 overall record where IC clinched the No. 2 seed for the Liberty League Tournament where they finished as the runner-up in the Liberty League Championship. The Bombers finished the season giving up just three goals against in nine Liberty League games.


Garret Eldridge joined the Bombers in 2018 after spending two seasons as the first assistant at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa. Eldridge helped the Knights to one of the program’s best seasons, which included a 13-6-2 overall finish, an appearance in the MAC Commonwealth semifinal and a bid to the ECAC Tournament.


Since joining the Ithaca College program, Eldridge has helped IC to a combined record of 38-23-17, which has included reaching two Liberty League championships in 2018 and 2021 as well as one NCAA Tournament Round of 32 appearance during the 2019 season. During that stretch, the Bombers have proven to be fantastic at home going unbeaten for over two and a half seasons from 2018 until 2021.


During the 2019 season, the Bombers went 13-6-2 with a 5-3-1 conference mark. IC earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking the Bombers' first trip to the big dance since 2008. Ithaca's win over Keene State in the first round marked the first NCAA Tournament win since 2002.


Prior to his time at Arcadia, Eldridge spent the 2015 season as an assistant at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa.


Eldridge started his college playing career at NCAA Division I Siena College before transferring to NCAA Division III Roanoke College. During his time at Roanoke, Eldridge was a three-time Old Dominion Athletic Conference All-League midfielder for the Maroons.


Following his collegiate career, Eldridge headed to Australia to play professionally for the Sunshine Coast Fire FC.

Nick Calo

Ithaca College men's soccer head coach Garret Eldridge has announced the hiring of Nick Calo as his lead assistant coach on staff for the upcoming 2023 season. Calo will officially begin his appointment at Ithaca on July 31.


"I am incredibly excited to announce the hiring of Nick Calo as our lead assistant for the upcoming season," said head coach Garret Eldrige. "Nick has shown himself to be a tremendous relationship builder, talented tactician and excellent in game coach. I have no doubt we have added a fantastic coach for our group."


Calo joins the Bombers staff after spending the last four seasons as the assistant men's soccer coach at Utica University where he assisted in all facets of the program, including day-to-day operations, scouting, recruiting, as well as game and practice preparation.


"I am incredibly excited to start the next chapter of my career at Ithaca College," Calo said. "I would like to thank head coach Garret Eldridge and Ithaca College Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Susan Bassett '79 for the warm welcome into the Ithaca College community. I cannot wait to get to work to add to the rich history of success."


Calo brings a diverse familiarity with the Central New York region. The native of nearby Syracuse played two years at St. John Fisher University while earning his bachelor's degree in sport management, where he later coached two seasons with the Cardinals.


He's also had a presence in both professional and club soccer assisting with the Syracuse Pulse of the NISA League (US 3rd Division Professional) since 2022 along with experiences serving in a prominent capacity with one of the nation's top clubs. From August 2016 until July 2019, he was the assistant director of coaching for Orlando City Youth Soccer. Orlando City Youth Soccer is the player developmental academy system created and operated by Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer. He worked with age groups ranging from under-8 to under-19 in the Orlando Area to prepare players for high school, college, club, and professional opportunities in soccer.


As a student-athlete, he did not miss a game for St. John Fisher during the 2011 and 2012 seasons totaling a goal and three assists from the midfield.


Calo has also earned and maintained his U.S. Soccer National D Coaching License.

Nicola Lanari