July 13, 2012

Contact: Greg Murphy

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Kirk Harwat, a Cleveland native who spent the last two years as an assistant men's soccer coach at Richmond, has been named to the same position at Cleveland State.

He begins his duties immediately.

Prior to arriving at Richmond, Harwat served as the assistant coach for the U-16 and U-18 teams at the Internationals Developmental Academy. There he guided the U-16 team to a division title and subsequent berth in the National Champions.

He was an assistant coach at Louisville in 2008 before working at Brad Friedel's Premier Soccer Academy in 2009. He also served as an assistant coach at St. Ignatius H.S., helping the Wildcats to a 23-1 mark and state runner-up finish.

A 2005 graduate of Akron with a degree in business marketing, Harwart was a two-year standout for the Zips after transferring from Ashland.

In 2002, Harwat was named the MAC Newcomer of the Year, as well as first team All-MAC and all-region after leading the team with nine goals and 22 points. A year later, Harwat earned first team all-league and all-region honors after tallying 23 points on nine goals and five assists, helping the Zips to the third round of the NCAA Championship.

Harwat began his collegiate career at Ashland, finishing fourth in the nation with 19 goals as a freshman to earn Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year honors as well as first team all-league and all-region accolades. He was a repeat selection to the all-league and all-region teams as a sophomore.

Following his collegiate career, Harwat was selected as one of 50 players invited to the MLS player combine and played for the 2003 Chicago Fire PDL squad that reached the league final. He also spent three years playing professionally for Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany.