NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara University Department of Athletics has announced the resignation of head men’s soccer coach Chase Brooks, who has accepted the same position at Duquesne University.  

“I have enjoyed my time on Monteagle Ridge immensely,” Brooks said.  “The staff and faculty are amazing and I wish everyone the best moving forward.”

Brooks was hired in Feb. 2011, and in two seasons at the helm he guided the Purple Eagles to a 22-6-9 overall mark and a 9-3-4 conference record, and earned the Purple Eagles their first ever Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament title and the first NCAA Tournament appearance in the program’s 43-year history.   

His most memorable season as head coach came in 2012 when Brooks earned NSCAA North Atlantic Region Coach of the Year honors after leading the Purple Eagles to a program-best 13-2-4 record and a 5-1-1 conference mark leading up to a MAAC Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.  NU started the year with a 12-game unbeaten streak which was the best start for the program, resulting in 12 consecutive weeks in the NSCAA Division I North Atlantic Poll and eight straight weeks in the top spot.  Niagara also received national recognition in the NSCAA/Continental Tire National Rankings eight times throughout the season, garnering a program-high 36 total votes during the Nov. 12 poll.

Under his guidance, the Purps pocketed the 2012 MAAC Goalie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year award in Brett Petricek and Rene De Zorzi, respectively.  

Under his tenure, the Purps excelled academically as well, mentoring 18 MAAC All-Academic Team honorees.  Niagara was also recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) two consecutive years with the Team Academic Award.