Coach Craig O'Rourke
Craig O'Rourke II was appointed as the Head Men's Soccer Coach at Salve Regina in June of 2007. Returning to his home state after coaching for four years at Bridgton Academy (ME), Coach O'Rourke immediately instilled a disciplined work ethic in his program that had the Seahawks off to a 5-3-1 start and undefeated conference record (3-0-1) before the season was interrupted by an off-field incident.
While at Bridgton, O'Rourke led the Wolverine men's soccer program to two NEPSSA Class 'A' Soccer Final Fours (2004 & 2005) while compiling an impressive career record of 57-16-7 (.756). His teams also won four consecutive MAISAD conference championships, which gave the program seven straight since 2000.
His 2004 team compiled one of the best records in school history at 19-3-0 and set a New England prep school record for goals in a season when they netted 122 that year. In 2005, Coach O'Rourke helped to develop the Traditions Cup competition between Bridgton and the Winchendon School formalizing a rivalry between two of the top prep soccer programs in both New England and the nation.
Before going to Bridgton, Coach O'Rourke served as an assistant with the Roger Williams University men's soccer program and helped guide the Hawks to three consecutive conference championships and three NCAA tournament berths (1999, 2000, & 2001). In his five years at Roger Williams, the team compiled an overall record of 75-29-4 (.713) while posting a conference record of 55-6-1 (.895). During this time, several Roger Williams' players were selected All-Conference, All-New England, and All-American. Before going to Roger Williams, Coach O'Rourke served as an assistant coach for the Worcester Polytechnic Institute's women's soccer program.
He has served as the Goalkeeping Director for the John Smith Soccer School and as a staff coach for both the SoccerPlus Goalkeeping School and the Brown University Soccer Camps. He is also the former Olympic Development Program (ODP) Goalkeeping Director for Soccer Rhode Island and has also acted as a Goalkeeping Assessor for the U.S. Youth Soccer Region I ODP Coaching Staff.
Coach O'Rourke is a 1997 graduate of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology/Pre-Medicine while playing for the men's soccer program. While at WPI, he was twice selected to all-tournament and all-conference teams. After college, he turned down a contract offer to play professional indoor soccer so he could continue to pursue his education.
In 2001, he graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Master's degree in Business Administration. Coach O'Rourke holds both an Advanced National Coaching Diploma and an Advanced Level II Goalkeeping Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) as well as a National 'B' Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). He is also a licensed referee and has officiated at the U.S. Youth Soccer Regional and National Championships and has also served on the USL Professional Referees List.
Coach O'Rourke has memberships in the NSCAA, U.S. Soccer Coaches Organization, USSF National Referees Association, and the Rhode Island State Referees Association. In addition to his men's soccer coaching duties, Coach O'Rourke also coordinates the University's intramural sports programs.
