Transylvania University

Transylvania University Pioneers Athletics
300 North Broadway Lexington, KY 40508

Division 3 Kentucky Midwest

Private Small Developing team

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Ben Federici

Ben Federici begins his third year as head coach of the Transylvania men’s soccer program ahead of the 2024 season.

Federici joins Transylvania from NCAA Division III Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio, where he was most recently the Associate Head Coach.

"Transylvania men's soccer is a program with a great tradition of excellence,” states Federici on his new stewardship of the program. “I look to honor that tradition by building a program that helps young men become great people and great players during their time.”

Over his nine-year coaching career, Federici has quickly carved out a reputation for building winning teams. Federici arrives to the Pioneers from another winning program called the Pioneers at Marietta, his alma mater.

During Federici's six-year tenure on staff, Marietta produced five straight winning seasons, highlighted by an 11-6-3 campaign in the 2017 season in which the program finished the campaign ranked seventh in the Great Lakes Region. In his first three years as part of Marietta's coaching staff as an assistant coach, Federici helped power the Pioneers to three consecutive winning seasons, marking the second time in program history that the Pioneers have reached that milestone. Federici was elevated to the title of Associate Head Coach ahead of the 2021 season.

Federici's imprint at Marietta was felt especially on the defensive side of the pitch, where he pushed the team to setting a new school record for consecutive minutes without conceding a goal. Federici orchestrated a defense which turned in nine clean sheets in the 2016 season and 17 clean sheets total between the 2016 and 2017 campaigns. In Federici's final season at Marietta, junior Dave Beattie won the OAC Defensive Player of the Year award.

With Federici on staff, the Pioneers qualified for the OAC Tournament in all five tournament-active seasons of his tenure.

Prior to re-joining the men's soccer program at Marietta, Federici spent three years as the assistant men's soccer coach at NCAA Division II University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio. His first application of a winning formula occurred at Findlay as the program notched its first winning record in 12 seasons. While at Findlay, Federici helped the Oilers drill five top 25 teams. Federici additionally accrued administrative experience at Findlay as an admissions department liaison to the athletic department.

Federici's Marietta roots originated during his playing days for the Pioneers where he won four varsity letters and appeared in 36 matches as a defender. His coaching experience began following an injury in his senior season of play, initializing a transition into a role of student assistant coach.

Federici graduated from Marietta College in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and earned his Master of Business Administration at the University of Findlay.

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Diego d'Angelo

Coach d'Angelo joins the staff with 20 years of coaching experience at the competitive club and high school level in Kentucky. He is currently in his 14th year of coaching on the men's side for Lexington FC (12) and Lexington Sporting Club (2-present), as well as serving as the Path to the Pros Director (U16-U19) in their academy-based organization. During his time at the club level, his teams accomplished

multiple state championships and finalist standings. Most recently, he helped guide the 2006 Lexington Sporting Club boys to the Midwest Regional semifinal. He also brings 7 years of experience from Lafayette High School, during which the program achieved 2 district championships and ended the past season as a state finalist.

"I have always had tremendous admiration for this university's commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the field. I view it as a privilege to have been given the opportunity to join such a quality soccer program and to share my passion for this sport, along with the prospect that it offers to teach young men in a highly competitive environment. I am excited to partner with coach Ben Federici and his vision for what is to come," said d'Angelo.

In addition to his coaching experience, Coach d'Angelo comes to the program after 25 years of managerial experience at Lexmark International. While at Lexmark, he led various worldwide operations and supply chain organizations and will be looking to apply that skill set as well to grow the soccer

program.

Transylvania University

Coaches

Ben Federici

Diego d'Angelo

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