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Brevard College

Brevard College Athletics
 One Brevard College Drive Brevard, NC 28712
Division 3 North Carolina Southeast
Private Very Small Competitive team
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Coaches

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Helio D'Anna

Veteran soccer coach Helio D'Anna enters his fifth season at the helm of the Brevard College men's soccer program after qualifying for the postseason each of his first four seasons at Brevard.


Since his appointment at Brevard College, D'Anna has compiled a 41-28-14 record at BC. The program's early success under Coach L was kickstarted with a trip to the 2018 ECAC DIII Men's Soccer Championships and a second-place regular-season finish in the USA South West Division in 2019. In COVID-shortened Spring 2021 season, the Tornados became the first program on campus to win a Divisin III-era USA South title by claiming the Spring 2021 USA South West Division Tournament title. BC men's soccer followed its early success under Coach L up with another postseason trip in the Fall of 2021, follwed with back-to-back USA South Conference Tournament Championship titles (2022 and 2023) - making BC men's soccer the first program at Brevard to win consecutive conference crowns in the NCAA era.


D'Anna, simply known as "Coach L" by the soccer community, comes to Brevard College following 16 seasons as the Head Men's Soccer Coach at NCAA Division II Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. At Lincoln Memorial, D'Anna compiled a 175-84-32 record with three NCAA tournament appearances. In his overall head coaching career, D'Anna has won 416 games with 287 wins as collegiate men's coach to go along with 129 wins as a women's coach. Over his entire career, he has coached 22 All-Americans, seven conference players of the year, and a national player of the year. In addition, three of his former players have moved on to join Major League Soccer (MLS) teams.


While the Head Coach at Lincoln Memorial from 2003-18, D'Anna led the Railsplitters to three NCAA tournament appearances including trips to the 2007 national championship game and the 2006 national semifinals. As Head Coach of the men's program at LMU, D'Anna coached four first-team All-Americans, a National Player of the Year, two South Atlantic Conference Players of the Year and 14 different All-South Atlantic Conference First-Team selections.


From 2003-16, D'Anna also served as LMU's Head Women's Soccer Coach where he guided the Railsplitters to three NCAA tournament appearances as well as a two conference titles.


At Lincoln Memorial, D'Anna was named the Appalachian Region Men's Soccer Coach of the Year in 2007 and an NCAA National Coach of the Year finalist in 2006.


Prior to his tenure at Lincoln Memorial, D'Anna held the positions of Head Men's Soccer Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at Union College (Ky.) from 1995-2002. At Union College, D'Anna led the Bulldogs to four Mid-South Conference titles and was named conference coach of the year four times. Additionally, he was named NCAA South Region Coach of the Year in 2004.


Additional experience for D'Anna includes a stint as Head Coach for the Professional Development League's Baton Rouge Capitals, Head Coach for the Kentucky Olympic Development Program as well as work as a columnist and talent recruiter for the Site University of Soccer.


A native of Campinas, Brazil, D'Anna holds a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education from the University of Campinas in Sao Paulo and a Master's degree in Physical Education and Health from Union College.

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Mario Pinto

Mario Pinto has been elevated to Assistant Coach for the Brevard College Men's Soccer program, announced BC Head Men's Soccer Coach Helio "L" D'Anna. Pinto, who will be involved in all aspects of the program, begins his new duties immediately.


"Mario is the perfect fit for this new role for him at Brevard College," said D'Anna. "His phenomenal history as a player and his short but impactful history at BC will bring a lot to our program. The players will benefit in all aspects and the Tornado family welcomes this great addition."


Pinto, a native of Uberlandia, Brazil and a former student-athlete under the guidance of Coach D'Anna at Lincoln Memorial University, is currently pursuing his Master's degree in the new Health and Human Performance graduate program at Brevard College. He spent this last season as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the BC Men's Soccer program where he helped lead the Tornados to wins in four of their last five games and a postseason appearance in the USA South Conference tournament.


At Lincoln Memorial, Pinto was one of the top forwards in the nation earning NCAA Division II First-Team All-America honors. In just three seasons at Lincoln Memorial (2011-13), Pinto broke the program's career record for goals scored with 49, while also finishing second in program history in total points with 112. Pinto is tied for the all-time LMU record in game-winning goals with 13, while his 251 shots is the highest total in program history. His career stat ledger also includes 14 assists and a gaudy .195 shot percentage.


Pinto concluded his college career as a three-time All-South Atlantic Conference First Team selection, a three-time Daktronics All-Southeast Region honoree and a three-time NSCAA All-Southeast Region pick to go along with All-American honors by both Daktronics and the NSCAA. Pinto's 2012 season is among the greatest in LMU's history as he piled up 21 goals, five assists and four hat tricks to receive SAC and Daktronics Southeast Region Player of the Year distinctions.


Following his collegiate playing career at Lincoln Memorial, Pinto played professionally with EC Noroeste, a second division club located in Bauru, Sao Paulo, Brazil.


Pinto's elevation into his new role as Assistant Coach corresponds with the announcement of Associate Head Coach Juan Mascaro Jr. shifting to work with the BC Women's Soccer team. Working with Head Coach D'Anna, Mascaro Jr. helped guide the Tornados to three straight postseason appearances and the Spring 2021 USA South West Division championship. Mascaro Jr. also served as the reserves head coach in his time with the men's soccer program.


"Words cannot express the gratitude for what Juan Junior has done for the men's soccer program, including the first team and the reserves," said D'Anna. "Our success is in no small part due to his contributions. His love for Brevard College and soccer will go on with the women's team and he will continue building a work of excellence."

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