Lake Erie College Men's Soccer

Louie Rolko is entering his ninth season as head coach of the Storm men's soccer program in 2025. Over the course of his time in Painesville, the team has risen to national prominence. After going 5-12 in 2017, Rolko's men went 9-6-4 in 2018, winning their first G-MAC playoff game when they beat the higher-seeded Ohio Dominican Panthers. Then in 2019, the Storm had a season for the history books. Rolko led Lake Erie to an 18-3 overall, 13-1 conference record, while winning the G-MAC regular season crown in the process. Under Rolko's coaching, the 2019 team swept the conference postseason awards, Carr topped the G-MAC in four different categories, and junior goalkeeper Tom John led the league in two more. Additionally, the team as a whole finished best in the conference in points, points per game, goals, goals per game, assists, assists per game, shutouts, and goals allowed. After advancing to the semifinals of the G-MAC tournament, the Storm made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament, in which they were named the top seed in the Midwest region.  Earlier in his career, Rolko found success not just as a coach, but also as a player.  Rolko started out at local Hudson High School, graduating in 2003 after his Explorers put up an impressive effort his senior year, winning the both the 2002 State Championship and National Championship. His team was ultimately inducted into the Hudson High School Hall of Fame in 2018. After graduation, Rolko became a four-year starting midfielder at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio (changed to Baldwin Wallace University in 2012), garnering such accolades as four (three first team) All-OAC honors, two OAC Midfielder of the Year awards, three NSCAA All-Region awards, team MVP as a senior and three-time team captain. He was elected to the Baldwin Wallace Hall of Fame in 2017. In 2005 and 2006, Rolko also played for the Sioux Falls Spitfire in the fourth division USL Premier Development League during the collegiate off-season. Following his time playing collegiately, Rolko turned professional in March 2007, when he signed and spent two seasons with the Charleston Battery of the USL First Division. He then signed with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Pro League and played there from 2010-2013 before making the decision to retire and seek a full-time career in coaching. After joining the Baldwin-Wallace staff as an assistant in the fall of 2007, Rolko helped the Yellow Jackets to their first and only appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2011. A native of Hudson, Ohio, Rolko received a sport management and business administration degree from Baldwin-Wallace College in 2007 and a master’s degree in Educational, School and Counseling Psychology with a focus in Positive Coaching from the University of Missouri in 2015.  He is a member of the United Soccer Coaches and possesses a United States Soccer Federation B License.

  As a new member of the Lake Erie Mens Soccer program, Sam Hall brings a wealth of playing experience and success to his Graduate Assistant Position.  2017-2019: The England native, specifically Leicester, spent his first two years as a 1st Team All-American and National Champion during an undefeated season at Genesee Community College. He managed to collect other awards such as All-Conference, All-Region and All Tournament Team alongside being placed in the All-Time XI across the 2 years spent at GCC. 2019-2022: He then went on to spend 3 years at Chowan University with Conference Titles and Sweet 16 Appearances along with personal awards. During his time, he completed his masters degree in Organizational Leadership.  2022: In the spring of 2022, Sam played for North Carolina Fusion U23s in the professional competition the US Open Cup having played every minute and reaching the 3rd round beating professional teams along the way. He then went on to spend a summer as Captain and Top Goalscorer of #1 Ranked USL2 team Lionsbridge FC and helping the team reach the play offs in their first year.  2023: With another successive Open Cup appearance, Sam continued his soccer ascendence. The summer of 23 Sam once again captained Lionsbridge FC to the final posting as top goalscorer.  Sam then was recruited as the new GA for Lake Erie Mens Soccer Program and began in August 23. The fall season saw the team finish with an 11-7-4 record having reached the 2nd round of the NCAA National Tournament. He hopes to continue the development of the program and bring further experience to bolster the chances of pushing on further.

Ryan Dean is entering his second season as an assistant coach of the Storm men's soccer program in 2025. Prior to Lake Erie, he was an assistant coach at Malone University. During his lone coaching season, the program saw its most wins in a season since 2019. Dean is also the Technical Director of Men’s Football at Ambassadors FC Ohio, where he has served as the head coach of their pre-professional program since 2022. During his time at AFC Ohio, they have sent players to all three NCAA divisions, produced several college All-Region and All-American-level players, in addition to helping players sign professional contracts. Their u23 program has qualified for every available post-season, reaching at least the semi-final in every year since 2021. As well as directing the player pathway for their men’s pre-professional program, Dean has also coached the u19 boys youth team at Ambassadors since 2019, guiding them to the NPL and Ohio State Cup in 2022. During his time with Ambassadors he also has had experience coaching the women’s program on occasion who play in the Women’s Premier Soccer League - one of the highest levels of women’s soccer in the US. He was also on the touchline coaching matches against professional Women’s Super League teams, Everton FC and West Ham United during the winter of 2024 in England with their women’s team on an international tour. He also spent a single year coaching high school soccer in the region where he helped guide the Aurora Greenmen (OHSAA DI) from a 4-12-2 record the year prior to his arrival, to an 11-6-3 record and the program’s first district final appearance in the last decade.  Dean attended Malone University where he was a member of the men's soccer team. During his playing career with the Pioneers, he appeared in 26 matches over two and a half injury-hit seasons. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science 2023. He is a member of United Soccer Coaches, and holds his national diploma from the organization.