COACHING STAFF

SHELDON CIPRIANI |  Assistant Coach

Sheldon Cipriani re-joined FGCU as an assistant coach in March of 2017 after serving as a volunteer assistant coach on the 2014 team which won ASUN regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Cipriani was most recently a United States Soccer Federation Development Academy Director, coaching Boys U13 through U18 with the Florida Rush Soccer Club in Orlando.

Cipriani brings a wealth of coaching experience from the youth, amateur and collegiate levels throughout the state of Florida. In addition to his time with FGCU, he served as USF’s Director of Satellite Camps from 2010-12, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the camp and planning all sessions.

From 2014-15, Cipriani was the head coach of the Lee County Strikers in Fort Myers. That came on the heels of an eight-year tenure as the Director of Coaching and Player Development with the Gainesville Soccer Alliance.

Cipriani has served as a head and assistant coach in the Premier Development League – the top men’s amateur soccer organization in the United States. Cipriani was the head coach of VSI Tampa in 2013 and has had stints as an assistant coach with the Ocala Stampede in both 2012 and 2014. Cipriani helped guide the Stampede to a conference championship in their inaugural season in 2012, and a national semifinal appearance in 2014.

A 1994 alumnus of Coker College (Hartsville, S.C.), Cipriani graduated with a degree in Business Management and was named an Academic All-American.

PETER THOMAS |  Assistant Coach

Peter is a native of Liverpool England and brings the Kop culture to the Strikers on a daily basis.  His energy, passion for the game, spirit is infectious and enjoyed by all of his players.  His teams have been developed to match his enthusiasm, but also possess some of the tactical acumen of recent Liverpool teams with an attacking brand, lightning quick counter attacks, irrepressible high pressing, and the ability to build and construct in possession.  All have become signatures of Thomas coached teams.  He has recently been hired as an assistant coach at Division 1 soccer powerhouse FGCU and he is involved in all aspects of the program to help them compete for a National Championship.  Thomas has seen many of his players not only sign to play at universities all over the country, but also been involved in many achieving their dreams of becoming professionals.

MICHAEL GORSZCZARYK |  Volunteer Assistant Coach

Is one of the bright young coaching stars rising amongst the college soccer ranks.  After a stellar playing career that started one of the best academies in Poland, he played in England, then decided to attend Broward College, where he was goalkeeper of the year and MVP of his team.  His relentless work ethic, unselfish attitude and drive to be the best, has lead him to become one of the top young assistants in the nation and goalkeeper coach at FGCU.  In his short time at FGCU, Michal was responsible for the development of ASUN Conference goalkeeper of the year Gustavo Vasconcelos.  Michal also is the the Director of the Strikers Recreation which is thriving under his leadership as the excitement and attendance has tripled since his arrival.  He will be coaching both the 2005/2010 Boys teams and assisting with the 2007 Boys with coach Andre.