NEW HAVEN, Conn. – On Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, against Fisher College, Albertus Magnus College women's soccer head coach Nick Wajnowski earned his 133rd career win to become the all-time wins leader in Albertus men's and women's soccer coaching history.
Following the victory against Fisher, Wajnowski surpassed Albertus Magnus Hall of Fame and former head men's soccer coach George Bedocs, who held the record with 132 wins over 15 years.
"Congratulations to Nick on this outstanding accomplishment," said Athletic Director Michael Kobylanski. "He is a Falcon through and through and has led our program with tremendous success academically, athletically, and within the community over his long association with Albertus Magnus College."
Wajnowski, a 2005 graduate of the College, is the longest-tenured head coach for the Falcons' women's soccer team, a program that began in 2004. To date, Wajnowski has helped guide the Falcons to 12 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournaments and two ECAC Tournament appearances. He also has coached five All-New England, six All-Region, and 39 GNAC All-Conference players, including a GNAC Defensive Player of the Year. In 2011, Wajnowski was honored by his peers with his first-ever GNAC Coach of the Year nod after leading his team to a record-breaking season with a program record of 12 wins.
As a player at Albertus Magnus, Wajnowski was a four-year starter under Coach Bedocs and received All-Conference and All-Tournament recognition in the GNAC throughout his playing years.
"Nick as a player, was relentless in his work ethic," said Coach Bedocs. "He always wanted to be better and set an example for the rest of the team with his quiet leadership. I have observed Nick as a coach, and each year he asks his team to commit to the same determination - no shortcuts for achieving your goals. Nick Wajnowski is a proud, honest, and respectful person who you can count on. I'm so thankful to have him as a friend."
Bedocs began the men's soccer program at Albertus Magnus in 1990 and coached the Falcons for 15 years. Over his tenure, he posted a .704 winning percentage in conference play and led the Falcons to the 1996 GNAC Championship Title and a regular-season championship title in 2003. Bedocs coached 46 All-Conference selections in just 10 years of conference play, including Major League Soccer player Steve Arias in 2001.
Since Coach Bedocs, both the men's and women's soccer programs have only been coached by men's soccer alumni – James Bernando (men's soccer; Class of 1998), Brett Colavolpe (men's soccer; Class of 2007), Pete Hamasian (men's soccer; Class of 2011), Dan O'Connor (women's soccer; Class of 2000), and Nick Wajnowski (women's soccer; Class of 2005).
