CAMP Directors
Ron Dias
One of the most successful coaches in New England, Ron Dias is starting his 18th season as head coach of the Western New England University women’s soccer team in 2011. He has a 209-131-17 record for an impressive 60.9 winning percentage against many of the region’s top squads.
Dias directed WNE to a 13-9 record in 2010 for the program’s 14th winning campaign in the last 16 seasons. The Golden Bears placed third in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) with a 10-3 mark and reached the semifinals of the conference championship.
Western New England also participated in ECAC Division III New England Championship for the second time in four years.
On December 10, 2010, Dias received the prestigious Larry E. Briggs Award at the Pioneer Valley Soccer Officials Association (PVSOA) Banquet. The organization presents the award annually to the individual who exemplifies the high standards and contributions to soccer over a long period of time.
(Larry Briggs is recognized throughout the United States as the “Father of Soccer Officiating.” He coached the UMass men’s soccer program for 39 years from 1929-67 and founded the PVSOA in 1947, and later the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association in 1964.)
During his tenure, Dias’ squads captured five Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament titles and appeared in four NCAA Division III Championships.
Two of Dias’ former players – Molly Burke and Kate Brunelle Roman – are ranked among the top 10 all-time NCAA Division III scorers. Another standout was Kristen Ogulewicz Cunningham who holds the NCAA Division III record for assists (30) in a season (1998).
Dias has been active in Youth Soccer for 28 years and his teams have participated in both state and regional championships.
John Coburn
John recently retired as the head coach of Chicopee Comprehensive High School’s Boys Soccer team. He had been there for the past eight years, making the Western Mass Tournament for the 1st time in 10 years. He was the men’s head coach of Western New England University for 6 years. He was also the assistant coach of WNE, of both men and women. He held head coaching positions of both Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College for 3 years each, respectfully. Mr. Coburn was the boys’ head coach at East Longmeadow High School for 10 years. He was a coach for Kick in Run All-Stars and defeated the Puerto Rican Junior National Team, and has coached in Pioneer Valley Soccer League, Scantic Valley Soccer Club, which won the State Championship (under 14). He received the Bruno Rumple Award as well as the prestigious Larry Briggs Award. He was a member of the Pioneer Valley Soccer Officials for 30 years, officiating the years of Western Mass. semi-finals and finals. He coached an area college All-Star team in Ireland. For three years, he assisted boys’ coach at Chicopee High School. His team has won the title of Western Mass Champs as well as Mass State Champs.
Tom Rivet 
Coach Rivet has over 27 years of high school, club, and college coaching experience. He has earned both an “A” Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation and an Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
In 2006 Coach Rivet assumed the position of Varsity Soccer Coach at Chicopee High School. In his first season his team advanced to the Western Mass Division One Quarter-Finals. In 2007 his team recorded the most program wins since 1988 enroute to the League Championship and the Western Mass Division One Semi-Finals. In six years as the boys Varsity Coach at East Longmeadow H.S., his team won two League Championships, four Western Mass. Division II Championships and reached the State Championships twice.
During the four years Rivet coached for Western United F.C., his team was a State Cup Finalist, Two Time State Cup Champion, and the Region One Finalist in 2001. His boys U-16 team was ranked Sixth in the United States of America and Second in Region One. Coach Rivet’s teams have competed in tournaments across the country including; the Disney Showcase, FL; The Jefferson Cup, VA; the Potomac Cup, MD; Capital Cup, MD; Tampa Sun Bowl, FL; and Kirkwood, DE. In 2000 his team traveled to England for a 14 day, 6 game playing tour. In 2002 his Western Mass Jr. Pioneers U-17 boys team was the Undefeated Super-Y League New England Regional Champion which earned them the privilege of competing in the National Championship Tournament located in Raleigh, NC. On three occasions Coach Rivet’s team’s have earned Sportsmanship and Fair Play awards.
Coach Rivet was the 2011 recipient of the prestigious Larry Briggs Award. He joins Coach Coburn, the 1995 award winner and Coach Dias, the 2010 recipient. He is also the Boys All-Star Game Coordinator for the Western Mass Soccer Coaches Association and served as the Westfield State College Men’s Soccer Coach in 2003.
