University of New Haven Athletics

As head coach of the New Haven men’s soccer program, Joe Machnik guided the Chargers to the NCAA National Championship Game in 1976 – the first of back-to-back Final Four appearances and one of four NCAA Regional trips during his tenure.

The two-time New England Intercollegiate Soccer League Coach of the Year also spent time as the head coach of New Haven’s women’s soccer and men’s ice hockey programs. Machnik remains the all-time wins leader in men's soccer with 110 career victories, while he is second all-time in total games coached at 186. His 59.6 winning percentage in women's soccer also remains as the best in school history, while he is third all-time in total wins with 39.

As an administrator, Machnik was the Director of Athletics during the introduction of women’s athletics to UNH and was instrumental in elevating New Haven athletics from NAIA to NCAA status. It was also during his tenure that football was upgraded to the varsity level.