Herkimer Men's Soccer

Head Coach: Pepe Aragon

The 2008 season marks Pepe Aragon's 11th year as head coach for the Herkimer County Community College men’s soccer program. Aragon has led the Generals to 11 consecutive Region III championships, three National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championships and three second place and three third place national finishes and one National fourth place finish.

During his tenure at Herkimer, he has amassed an overall record of 197-19-12 and has been named National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Coach of the Year (1999, 2000, and 2005), Region III Coach of the Year (1999, 2005) and Mountain Valley Conference Coach of the Year (2004, 2005). He has coached 33 NSCAA and NJCAA All-Americans and four NSCAA National Players of the Year. He currently serves as Secretary of the NJCAA and President of the Region III Men’s Soccer Association. In 2007, he was recognized by the Blind Men and Criers, an organization of referees and coaches, with the Lew Andreas Award for outstanding contributions and service to his community. In 2008, Aragon received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service and is an NJCAA Soccer Hall of Fame Inductee.

A native of Binghamton, NY, Aragon was a high school NSCAA All-American at Binghamton High School in 1989. He then attended HCCC where he was a NSCAA and NJCAA All-American as a freshman and senior and led the Generals to a national third-place finish. Aragon received an athletic scholarship to NCAA Division I Bowling Green State University where he was a two-time All- Mid-American Conference selection and helped lead the Falcons to their first NCAA tournament appearance in over 20 years.

After graduating from college, Aragon signed a professional contract with the Canton Invaders of the National Professional Soccer League where he played one season. He then signed a contract the following year with the Cleveland Caps of the United States Inter-Regional Soccer League (U.S.I.S.L.). before accepting the head coaching position at HCCC in 1998. In 2000, Aragon was named to the NJCAA All-Century Team along with former U.S. National Team coach Bruce Arena and MLS goal keeper Zach Thorton. In 2002, he captained the Central Empire State Open men's soccer team to a gold medal. Aragon currently holds a NSCAA national coaching license.

Aragon is also a full-time Health and Physical Education Instructor at Herkimer. He holds an A.S. in Physical Education from Herkimer County Community College, B.S. in Physical Education from Bowling Green State University and M.S. in Health Education from SUNY Cortland. Coach Aragon resides in New Hartford with his wife Anastacia, daughter Natalia and son Pepe.

Aragon at HCCC

NSCAA National Coach of the Year (1999, 2000, 2005)

Region III Coach of the Year (1999, 2005)

Mountain Valley Conference Coach of the Year (2004, 2005)