Kolby Banker Tabbed as SUNY Erie’s Women’s Soccer Coach

Kolby Banker has been chosen as SUNY Erie Community College's new women's soccer head coach in an announcement from director of athletics Steve Mullen. Banker replaces Gary Boughton, who left to coach the women's soccer program at Trine University.

Banker came to Erie from the University of Missouri where he was the director of performance analysis and an assistant coach. He helped the Tigers to a second-place finish in the 2015 season and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016.

"I want to thank Steve Mullen and the rest of the search committee for welcoming me to the Kats Family. I'd also like to thank Bryan Blitz and the Mizzou Soccer Family, who have helped with my growth and development the last four falls. I'm thrilled to take on the role as SUNY Erie head women's soccer coach. The program has a rich history and the right people surrounding it to continue on a successful path. Since my first time on campus I became aware of all that SUNY Erie and its athletic programs have to offer our student athletes. It's a great environment with great people and I'm excited to get to work."

The Grand Island native also was an assistant coach at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in 2014-15.

"We are proud of the recent success our women's soccer program has had," said Mullen. "Kolby comes from a very successful coaching family and has been coaching at the highest level of intercollegiate soccer. He understands what it takes to be a successful student-athlete and will use his experiences to help the young women in our program at Erie to reach their goals."

Banker graduated from Saint Bonaventure University where he was a four-year starting defender for the Bonnies' men's soccer program. His mother, Jenepher Banker, is the women's basketball coach at Daemen College where his sister, Kallie, is an assistant. His father, Brett Banker, is the Supervisor of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics in the Ken-Ton School District.

Erie's women's soccer program has been one of the best in the country over the last four years. The Kats won NJCAA Region III championships in 2016 and 2017 and finished second and fifth, respectively, at the NJCAA Division 3 Championships those two seasons. Erie was ranked number one in the country for four straight weeks in 2018 and finished the season with a 16-1 record.