HACKENSACK, N.J. – Head coach Seth Roland and the men's soccer program announced the appointment of Alex Passucci as a full-time assistant coach for the 2017 season. 

"I'm excited to have Alex return to the Knights men's soccer program," said Roland. "His commitment to FDU as an undergraduate player and as an assistant coach over the past 25 years is unparalleled. He has a very good soccer mind and will bring his winning mentality to Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer every day."

Passucci, who will be inducted into the Fairleigh Dickinson Athletics Hall of Fame this fall, returns for his 23rd season as an assistant coach for the Knights and his 19th with Roland. 

The Fairleigh Dickinson alum was named the 2012 College Assistant Coach of the Year for the North Atlantic Region at January's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) convention. Being named Assistant Coach of the Year is nothing new for Passucci, as he has been recognized three times as one of the nation's top assistant coaches by College Soccer News and AFLAC. He was a member of the staffs that coached the Knights to an Elite Eight appearance in 2001 and the Sweet 16 in 2012. 

During his playing career in Teaneck, Passucci was named First Team All-NEC in 1991 and led the Knights in scoring with 15 points (4G, 7A) in 1991. Passucci was also part of the 1988 and '89 squads that won Northeast Conference titles and made the NCAA Tournament. 

The Knights open the 2017 campaign Friday, August 25 at Lafayette. The first home game is Monday, August 28 against Manhattan at University Stadium at 7 p.m.