Uniontown native Mike Wystepek named head men's soccer coach
Lemont Furnace, PA - Penn State Fayette is proud to announce Michael Wystepek as the new Head Men's Soccer Coach. Michael is a Uniontown native with vast knowledge of the local community for the last 20 years serving as a volunteer firefighter, EMS, and Emergency Management Coordinator for Franklin Township. Coach Wystepek is also known in the local soccer community for his experience at the local High School, Uniontown, for assisting the boys' varsity and being the head coach for the girls' varsity.
Coach Wystepek had this to say about his time with Uniontown High School Soccer, "This opportunity provided me to meet and network with other coaches and athletic directors that I call colleagues, not only for season related business, but off season as well."
Coach Wystepek plans to make the men's soccer team at Penn State Fayette successful on and off the field. "There needs to be a level of discipline, dedication, teamwork, and patience both from the players and the coaching staff." Michael believes the men's soccer program will not only need to give 100% on the field, but off it. Wystepek plans to make sure his future student athletes are involved with charitable events and mentoring programs with the youth soccer leagues in the local area.
When asked about why he was interested in the opportunity at Penn State Fayette with a new branded men's soccer team he said this, "Penn State University, as a whole, has been dear to my heart for a number of years, beginning with my attendance at soccer camp at State College three years in a row while I was transitioning from playing soccer at my middle school into high school. But why Penn State Fayette you ask, because it's my second home. As a staff member since 2011 in the CE Department as an EMS Instructor, Penn State Fayette has supported opportunities for program growth. There is encouragement for continued growth not only in credit and non-credit academics, but also in athletics. This community is a tight-knit group that supports each other regardless of the discipline or department one may work in to assist in each other's success. One of the other attributes of Penn State Fayette is the close connection with the local community. This campus has grown with support of the local community for a number of years and is considered an integral part of the local community. By providing summer camps for kids, sports camps, or community events, the sense of community is evident while on campus."
The men's soccer program will have work ahead of them in being reinstated into the PSUAC and will need to compete as independent their first year under Coach Wystepek's wing. The soccer program will then make the transition back to the PSUAC Conference their second season, then will follow the USCAA.
Director of Athletics for Penn State Fayette showed great excitement for Coach Wystepek when asked about the new head coach, "We're excited to announce Mike Wystepek
as our new Head Men's Soccer coach. Coach Mike brings energy, a vision, and a wealth of knowledge that aligns with the future of the program, built around growth and sustainability. He's someone who will be entrusted to provide stability and a commitment to student athlete success within the soccer program."
When Michael was asked about what message he would like to deliver to any potential recruits out there reading his article he left us with this bold statement, "We are setting the foundation for an elite men's soccer program and looking for recruits willing to be the forefront of this endeavor. Even though it will be a few years before we enter the conferences again, recruits coming aboard now will help streamline the program for greatness."