DUDLEY, Mass. (1/9/2025) – After 23 years on the sidelines for the Nichols College women's and men's soccer programs Head Coach
Chris Traina will retire, it was announced on Thursday. Traina won his final home game with a 2-0 win over Gordon College on October 22, 2024.
Traina has amassed a record of 209-171-38 in his time on "The Hill", making him the winningest Coach in School history, while earning three NCAA Tournament Appearances - in 2002 with women's soccer, and 2010 as well as 2014 with the men's soccer team. The two-time Coach of the Year (2010 and 2014) also saw his teams win three Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championships.
"My time here at Nichols has been an incredible journey. I first wish to thank
Jack Hayes, along with our current administration who have been supporting me over these past years," said Traina. "I especially wish to thank former Nichols College President Debra Townsend, who hired me in 2002, and Charlie Robert who mentored and challenged me to reach new heights."
"On behalf of everyone in the Nichols College Division of Athletics, I would like to thank
Chris Traina for all his contributions to both our women's and men's soccer programs," said Vice President and Director of Athletics
Jack Hayes. "He coached the women's teams and men's teams to conference championships and NCAA tournament play. Over the course of more than two decades, he established many records, while leading and building relationships with numerous student-athletes."
Traina came to Dudley in 2002 when he took over the women's soccer team, leading the program in his first season to its first CCC Championship. The Bison finished 13-8 and 9-3 in conference play, beating Endicott 4-3 in overtime in the conference championship and making its first NCAA Tournament appearance. Traina coached the women for three seasons, finishing with a 35-18-5 record.
"Winning at the collegiate level is no easy task," said Traina. "The support from all of my past assistant coaches, along with the camaraderie within our department, was paramount to my success. The memories of mentoring and coaching student-athletes here over the years will last me the rest of my days and I look forward to my next chapter."
Traina took over the coaching reins of the Nichols College men's soccer program in 2005 and currently stands as the winningest coach in program history with 174 career victories.
Since the 2008 season, the Bison have qualified for the CCC playoffs 14 times, winning the 2010 and 2014 Conference tournament championships, and advancing to the NCAA Tournament in those years.
The 2014 season was a highlight in Traina's career, as the Bison tied a program-record with 15 wins and won its second conference championship in five years and earned the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament win with a 1-0 shutout over UMass Boston. Eight team members received all-conference honors and the team established program records for winning pct. (.773) and goals against average (0.65). Traina was named CCC Coach of the Year and secured his 100th career win during the season with a 1-0 shutout of Wentworth.
In 2010, Traina was tabbed as the Coach of the Year for leading the Bison to the conference championship while coaching the Rookie of the Year and seven All-Conference team members – one of which became the program's first All-American.
The search for Nichols' next men's soccer coach will begin immediately.
