Suzuki, who captained the 1999 Bulldogs to a school-record 13wins, returns for his fourth year as an assistant coach in2014.
Suzuki has had an immediate impact on the Yale program. In hisfirst year, the Bulldogs won five more games overall than theprevious season and three more Ivy games.
As a player at Yale, Suzuki had a key role in one of the mostsuccessful stretches in the long history of Yale Soccer. During hisfour years, the Bulldogs won 44 games, including posting a 17-9-2mark in Ivy League play. As a senior, he helped Yale to a thrillingvictory over Rutgers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Hewas a second team All-Ivy selection as a sophomore and senior andearned first team recognition in his junior year. In all, hestarted 65 games for the Bulldogs, scored 10 goals and added 15assists.
Suzuki also excelled off the field. He was the recipient of theYale Athletic Department’s 2000 Thomas W. Ford CommunityOutreach Award and participated in the NCAA Foundation LeadershipConference in 1999. In addition, he was a two-time Academic All-Ivyselection.
Suzuki served as a volunteer assistant coach under head coachBrian Tompkins in 2001, and also has coaching experience with theSan Diego Soccer Club Pegasus and with PQ Premier.
He earned an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Managementin 2006.
“Hiro was a fantastic player and leader during his time atYale and brings outstanding creativity and charisma both on and offthe field,” head coach Brian Tompkins said. “He is oneof the best soccer-thinkers that I have coached in my time at Yaleand brings a tremendous amount of first-hand experience to theplaying and academic environments. His affable personality,drive and enthusiasm are infectious.”
