As the Spartans look to improve their 6-2 record, coach John Werner reached a milestone that has only happened three times at Castleton. Werner recently won his 100th game since being head coach of the Castleton men’s soccer program, which was achieved in recent play against Plymouth State.
Prior to Castleton, Werner coached men’s soccer for 31 years at Arlington High School in Arlington, Vt. He also taught chemistry and physics, as well as serving as the schools athletic director. He now holds the state record for wins in soccer, having 346.
Werner won seven state titles, was awarded NSCAA New England Coach of the Year four times and the NFICA National Coach of the Year in 1995. He is also involved in starting youth soccer in the southern Vermont area, including a league that still exists today, now known as the John Werner Soccer League. The league boasts kids from 10 different towns in Vermont and eastern New York.
Werner also has a high school tournament and a scholarship named after him, which he said he’s very proud of.
He has been a coach at Castleton since 2004, which started with a “very persuasive phone call by President Wolk,” Werner said.
“I love being at Castleton,” Werner said, “I am grateful to President Wolk as well as Deanna Tyson for the opportunity and all of the support.”
The men’s soccer program has won three NAC titles, and Werner has been  named NAC coach of the year three times. Since being coached by Werner, the program has made three NCAA tournament appearance and three ECAC appearances, reaching the finals in 2009.
“I have always appreciated how much emphasis he’s put in school,” said Spartan athlete Ian Hunter, who is now in his fourth year at Castleton. “He really understands the balance that a student athlete must have and respects the college and profressors by never letting us miss class for practice.”
Werner also serves as the director of coaching education for the Vermont Soccer Association.
Werner is also quick to recognize that members of his coaching staff Paul Storey and Scott French have been a huge part of his success, having been with him since day 1.
“Our program values our players above all,” said Werner, “and I am very proud of all of the guys who have been part of our 100 wins.”