Nov. 27, 2007

Siena men's soccer coach Charlie Curto announced his retirement from coaching today. Curto, a 1979 graduate of Siena, began his coaching career at the College as the women's coach just months after his graduation. In August of 1984, he was hired as the men's soccer head coach, where he remained through this season.

"Charlie has put a great deal of himself into this program. He nurtured it through many different milestones and saw it through many different growth stages from transitioning to Division I, going from non-scholarship to a scholarship program and from part time coaching status to full time status. Siena is fortunate and grateful for his commitment and dedication to the College and the team," director of athletics John D'Argenio said.

Curto took over the Siena program as it was transitioning to Division I. In 1989 the program joined the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. He was hired on a full time basis in 2004.

Siena posted a winning conference record in 10 of its 19 seasons in the MAAC under his direction. The Saints reached the MAAC Tournament nine teams, finishing in the top four of the league on eight occasions during his tenure.

Curto's 1998 team posted an 11-6-1 overall record and a 5-4 league mark. Siena reached the MAAC Tournament four times from 1993-1997, finishing second in the regular season standings three straight times from 1993-1995. The Saints qualified for three straight MAAC Tournaments from 2001-2003.

Curto has been a member of the National Soccer Coaches' Association of America since 1985, and has remained actively involved in Capital Region Soccer circuits. He coached the Adirondack Region open team to a gold and silver medal in the 1997 and 1998 Empire State Games. Additionally, he harbors seven years of coaching experience with the Empire State Alleycats.

Curto played professionally for one season with the New York Eagles of the American soccer League and spent five years with Sneaky Pete's - one of the Albany area's top indoor semi-pro teams at the time. He served as a technical advisor for the Albany Capitals of the American soccer League for three years, and, in 1990, he was the head coach of the New York kick of the National Professional Soccer League.

Siena will begin the process to search for his replacement immediately.