Roadrunners name Poropat head soccer coach

Michael Poropat has been named the new men's and women's soccer head coach at State Fair Community College. (SFCC) Poropat brings experience from the high school, NAIA, NCAA Division III NJCAA, professional, and Olympic National Development levels to the new position.

"I think this is a good location to draw student-athletes from different areas," said Poropat. "I think we can draw players from all areas of the state, as well as out-of-state, and international student-athletes. I think the program has things in place for both teams to be successful. I came and visited, I liked what I saw and I liked what I heard. I was convinced."

Poropat previously served as the Head Soccer Coach at Louisiana State University of Alexandria at Alexandria, Louisiana for both the men's and women's teams. He was involved in all aspects of the programs, including on-field coaching, recruiting, travel, lodging, hiring, budgeting, scheduling, fundraising, and monitoring academic progress from 2013 to 2022.

The women's team had an overall record of 44-37- 5 in five seasons, including a Red River Athletic Conference Championship in 2017. Poropat was named Conference Coach of the Year and Louisiana Sportswriters Association Coach of the Year in 2017.

The men's program had an overall record of 52-32-12 over six seasons. He helped his team to a 2018 Red River Athletic Conference Championship and a Red River Athletic Conference Tournament Championship in 2018. Louisiana State University of Alexandria advanced to the NAIA National Tournament in 2018. He led the men's program to another conference tournament championship 2021 and another appearance in the NAIA National Tournament.

Poropat coached a combined two All-Americans, 144 Academic All-Conference performers, 49  All-Conference Players, two Conference Newcomers of the Year, three Conference Defensive Players of the Year, and 28 Players of the Week. Poropat served on the Red River Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Oversight Committee from 2018 to 2022.

Poropat brings experience as an athletic administrator to the position. He served as an Assistant Athletic Director at Louisiana State University of Alexandria from 2018 to 2022. In this position, he served as the athletic department facilities management coordinator, he had Sports Information Director responsibilities, and supervised the fitness center student workers.

Poropat served as the Director of Rugby Operations at Louisiana State University of Alexandria from 2014 to 2017.

Poropat served as the Associate Head Women's and Men's Soccer Coach at Fontbonne University in St. Louis from 2005 to 2013. He led the men's and women's collegiate soccer program, including on-field coaching, recruiting, budgeting, scheduling, fundraising, and monitoring academic progress.

The women's team had a conference record of 18-6-1 in three seasons, including a conference championship in 2012. The men's program had a conference record of 61-14-12 in nine seasons. The men's team won conference championships in 2008 and 2013. Fontbonne advanced to the National Tournament in 2006. The men's program also advanced to nine consecutive conference tournaments from 2005 to 2013.

Poropat also served as a Coaching Education Instructor for the Missouri Youth Soccer Association from 2012 to 2013. He provided professional development for coaching candidates, instructed coaches on modern soccer strategies and tactics. He also evaluated coaches for course advancement.

He was an Assistant Soccer Coach for the St. Louis Lions of the United Soccer League from 2008 to 2012, where he assisted with on-field coaching for practices and games. He assisted with planning for training and match day strategy. He helped his team advanced to the fourth round Of the U.S. Open Cup 2008 and 2009.

Poropat was the Director of Coaching for the Gateway Strikers Soccer Club in St. Louis. He provided direction for 31 teams, 62 coaches, and 465 players. He directed tournaments and soccer camps, while scheduling practice and game field assignments. He also organized fundraising activities and managed the budget. He supervised personnel hiring and coaches training.

He served as an assistant women's soccer coach at Forest Park Community College in St. Louis in 2003. He assumed head coaching responsibilities for six matches. The team tripled the previous record win total.

Poropat served as the Head Coach of Girl's Soccer and Assistant Coach of the Boy's Soccer coach at Lutheran North High School in St. Louis from 1999 to 2000. He started the girl's soccer program. He was responsible for on-field coaching for practices and games. He also planned training and match day strategy.

Coach Poropat considers his coaching style to be flexible to the style of play that his teams.

"The chef can only cook with the ingredients that are in his kitchen," said Poropat. "I have won games playing every style of soccer and I have lost games playing every style. Hopefully, we will be able to find good ingredients and get them into a recipe, stir it up and hopefully good things will happen."

Poropat has worked numerous soccer camps throughout his career at club and professional levels. He holds a United States Soccer Federation National A Coaching License. He also possesses a United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma and Goalkeeping Level 3 Diploma.

"I would like to thank State Fair Community College President Dr. Brent Bates and Athletic Director Darren Pannier for this opportunity."

Poropat received a bachelor of arts in Communications from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis in April 1998. He holds a master of arts in Education from Fontbonne University, which he received in December of 2010.  Poropat earned a certificate in Computer Education from Fontbonne University in St. Louis in May of 2011.

David Rohrbach
SFCC Athletics