The Mercyhurst Women's Soccer team has selected Dale White to be their new head coach. Dale White boasts over 16 years of coaching experience, along with a wealth of knowledge and passion for the beautiful game. The Scottish native is well-loved in the Erie community and local names have expressed their high praise upon the announcement.
About Dale White
Dale White moved to the U.S. in 1999, after obtaining a Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) Foundation Year degree in Business Studies in England. He then enrolled at Gannon University in Erie, where he earned a B.S. in Advertising Communication and played for their men's soccer team. He has played for Penrith Football Club, Gannon University, Barking and East Ham, and the South Jersey Barons.
Quotes From Mercyhurst Athletic Director and VP of Student Life and Athletics
Joe Spano, Director of Athletics at Mercyhurst said, "Dale is returning home to Mercyhurst to lead us into the next chapter of competing at the Division I level. There is no better coach—and more importantly, no better person—to guide this program."
Laura Zirkle, Vice President of Student Life and Athletics expressed her excitement for Dale White: "We are excited to welcome Dale back to Mercyhurst University as the head coach of our Division I women's soccer team. As a former coach at Mercyhurst, he knows our program, our values, and our commitment to excellence. His soccer experience and expertise make him a tremendous addition to our soccer program and his character and integrity make him a valued leader within our entire athletic department. It's great to have Dale back — Hurst is Home!"
Spano added, "Having previously led the women's program to multiple NCAA Division II tournaments, Dale is the ideal coach to navigate this transition to the NEC and NCAA Division I postseason eligibility. His experience and leadership will be invaluable, and we are thrilled to welcome him back."
Coaching Experience, Accolades, and Qualifications
Dale has found success in several places throughout Erie. He began at Mercyhurst University, not too far up the road from his alma mater. Dale was an assistant coach for both the men's and women's teams for four years starting in 2003. He was then promoted to the associate head coach position for both sides. This helped build foundation for his coaching excellence for the years to follow. Dale holds an impressive 76-25-5 record over a five-year span leading the men's soccer team from 2010-2015 that included four appearances in the NCAA tournament. He was named Coach of the Year in 2012 and also won the conference three years in a row from 2012-2014. He then went on to take the head coaching role at Gannon University. He transformed a team struggling to find their footing with a record below .500 to well above .500. He led the Knights into the PSAC quarterfinals and eventually finals the year after. It only took him a couple seasons to help create a winning culture again at Gannon.
Aside from his coaching at the collegiate level, Dale has been successfully developing players at the club level. He has coached at the Millcreek Soccer Academy (MSA), recently renamed Erie FC after a merger with Erie Admirals, for almost 15 years. Dale has helped loads of young men, primarily aged 16-19, improve their technical and physical abilities on the pitch. He has won over 10 tournaments and 4 State Cups with his club teams. Players coached by Dale have gone on to obtain scholarships to Division I Universities, compete for teams in Major League Soccer (MLS), and represent the U.S. youth teams.
Dale also coached the Erie Commodores senior team. He was named National Premier Soccer League Midwest Coach of the Year while the team was crowned champions of the NPSL. Dale has a D Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). He also has a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) A License and a C License from the Scottish Football Association.
What The Community is Saying
Rising senior captain of the team,
Amanda Dahl, was asked for her thoughts on the new hiring. Dahl stated, "We are excited for Dale to step into the head coaching position to help our program achieve its goals. Dale has a lot of experience and shares our passion for the game. He has brought the Mercyhurst Women's Soccer Program success in the past and we are ready to achieve even more at the Division 1 level and continue to grow under his leadership."
Former Mercyhurst Soccer coach and Erie restaurant/bar owner John Melody was asked his thoughts on the new hiring: "It is great to see Dale back at the helm of Mercyhurst Women's Soccer. His knowledge of Mercyhurst and the game, in addition to his experience and coaching ability, is what is needed to progress the program in Division I soccer."
The current head coach of the Mercyhurst Men's Soccer team, Austin Solomon, also weighed in on Dale White. Solomon said, "Having played for Dale during my four years as a student-athlete here at Mercyhurst, and in the NPSL during the summers, I know firsthand the impact he has as a coach and mentor. He's someone who truly cares about his players and knows how to get the best out of them. I know I owe him a lot. The women's team is getting a fantastic leader, and I have no doubt they'll love playing for Dale. I'm looking forward to working alongside him and seeing all that he accomplishes during his return to the Hurst."
