IAC BOYS SOCCER: NEW COACH VAN DUSEN HAS ROOTS IN TIOGA PROGRAM; LOOKING TO REBUILD IT, CHANGE CULTURE (2025-08-20)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER — Former Tioga modified boys soccer coach Donnie Van Dusen is stepping up to take the varsity job this fall and is looking to rebuild the program, and change the culture as well.

Van Dusen, who is a Tioga grad and a soccer alum, wants to build program "from the ground up."

"Both (assistant coach) John Pipher and I are Tioga soccer alums, we want to build pride in the program, and build it from the youth and modified programs up.

"John and I both grew up in this program," said Van Dusen. "I played for Tioga my whole career. I played goalkeeper and John played defense. We want to grow this program.

"Last year, we started a Tioga indoors soccer league. The idea was to get more kids playing ... we had U14, U12, and U10.

"The goal is to get a varsity indoor team going," added Van Dusen. "We've been in touch with Waverly and other schools in the are to gauge interest. We just want to see more players from throughout the region playing throughout the winter."

Van Dusen also wants to change the culture surrounding Tioga boys soccer.

"We want to put 11 kids on the field who want to win, and want to play soccer," he said.

"I think that's the big thing here, we need to change the attitude of 'just here to play," to 'here to win;' that's what we're looking for," added Van Dusen.

Tioga opens the season at home Wednesday against Marathon.

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IN PHOTO: Tioga coach Donnie Van Dusen (right) and assistant coach John Pipher. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.

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