Charlotte, NC – The NJCAA has announced three honorees to be inducted into the NJCAA Men's Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Two student-athletes and one coach have been enshrined in the honorable 2024 class. Read below for more on Jake Morris, Marcus DiBernardo, and Yazeed Matthews.
Jake Morris | Student-Athlete | Tyler (TX)
Jake Morris was a member of the Tyler Junior College soccer team for two seasons. During this time, Morris scored 13 goals and had eight assists. He appeared in 45 matches for the Apaches and helped lead the team to the NJCAA Division I Men's Soccer national tournament.
After Tyler, Morris continued his collegiate career at Campbell University and helped lead the Camels to back-to-back Big South Conference Championships. Morris is now in the MLS and plays for USL Championship club Louisville City.
Marcus DiBernardo | Coach | Monroe University (NY)
Marcus DiBernardo is in his 17th season as the head coach of the men's soccer team at Monroe University. In 2018 DiBernardo coached both the men's and women's soccer teams leading the women to an NJCAA national championship victory and the men's to the semifinals. Under his leadership the Mustangs have won four NJCAA national championships with the first ever in men's soccer in 2019.
Over the span of 14 years DiBernardo has led the Mustangs to nine Region Championships, six District titles, and seven NJCAA National Tournament appearances. DiBernardo has sent nearly 100 student-athletes to four years on scholarships and has seen many former student-athletes turn professional.
DiBernardo has received several accolades along with his coaching staff including NSCAA Coach of the Year, 2018 United Soccer Coaches Women's Soccer Coaching Staff of the Year, and United Soccer Men's Soccer Coaching Staff of the Year in 2019 and 2022.
Yazeed Matthews | Student-Athlete | Tyler (TX)
Yazeed Matthews is a former Tyler Junior College soccer player. He played for the Apaches for two seasons before moving to Coastal Carolina University. At Tyler, Matthews had 36 goals and 12 assists. He was the 2016 National Player of the Year and National Tournament MVP.
At Coastal Carolina he was named the Offensive Player of the Year, Conference Player of the Year, and a member of the All-Conference Team. He recorded 13 goals and three assists in his senior year. Matthews now plays for Detroit City Football Club.