Hamilton College Interim Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator Deidre Pierson announced the hiring of Brendan Ujvary as the Continentals' next head men's soccer coach on Thursday, June 19.
 
Ujvary, who has been an assistant coach at Hamilton since 2015, is just the third person to lead the men's soccer team since 1959. Perry Nizzi is retiring at the end of the month after winning 211 matches over 26 seasons, and Manfred von Schiller won 227 times from 1959 to 1997.
 
"I'm incredibly honored and grateful to be named the next head coach of this program," Ujvary said. "I want to extend my deepest thanks to Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Ngonidzashe Munemo, Deidre Pierson and the search committee for this incredible opportunity."
 
Ujvary inherits a team that finished 8-6-4 overall and advanced to the second round of the 2024 NCAA Division III championship after a 3-2 win over Calvin University in the first round. The Continentals tied 2-2 with Kenyon College in the next round, but Kenyon advanced on penalty kicks. Hamilton posted a 4-4-2 record in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) – a conference that received seven at-large bids to the NCAA championship.
 
"It's hard to put into words what this place means to me — it's been home for nearly a decade -- and to now have the chance to lead it is something I'll never take for granted. I have to especially thank Coach Nizzi. He's been a mentor, a leader, and more than anything, a great friend. His guidance and trust meant so much to me, and I'll carry that with me in all that's ahead."
 
Ujvary has helped lead the Continentals to 68 wins and seven NESCAC championship appearances. The Hamilton men advanced to the conference final in 2016 and the semifinals in 2017 and 2018. He has coached the conference's 2016 rookie of the year, eight all-region selections and 14 all-NESCAC team honorees. 
 
"Coach Ujvary's ascension to the head position of our men's soccer program is a testament to his hard work and commitment to the development of our Hamilton scholar-athletes," Pierson said. "His energy and relatability will continue to propel the success of the program. He brings a healthy outlook towards the future and a respect for the program's successes of the past."
 
Ujvary was an assistant with the Utica University men's team in 2013 and 2014. He helped guide the Pioneers to a pair of Empire 8 Conference playoff appearances, including the team's first trip to the championship game in 2013. Utica players received eight all-conference team honors and one Empire 8 rookie of the year award during his time at the school. 
 
Ujvary played college soccer at SUNY New Paltz. The defender appeared in 53 matches with 41 starts over the course of three seasons. As a senior, he helped lead the Hawks to the SUNYAC quarterfinals in 2011. Ujvary was a member of the Dean's List all four years, made the United Soccer Coaches all-academic team and represented the soccer program on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
 
Ujvary has earned his United Soccer Coaches National Diploma. He earned a bachelor's degree in adolescent education with a specialization in social studies and a geography minor, and he has a master's degree in special education from Utica. Ujvary is from Kings Park, N.Y., and played soccer at Kings Park High School.