Northwest Catholic Coach Joins University of Hartford Staff

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Todd Sadler, a highly-successful coach at Northwest Catholic High School, is returning to his college alma mater to join the University of Hartford women’s soccer team’s coaching staff.

Sadler is no stranger to Hartford’s soccer programs, as he was a four-year standout on the Hawks’ men’s team from 1994-98.

“As an alumnus of the University of Hartford, Todd is someone who really cares about our Athletic Department as a whole,” said head coach John Natale. “He has had huge success as a former student-athlete and he understands what qualities we are looking for in our student-athletes.”

A four-year starter who logged time in 80 career games, Sadler helped pilot Hartford to one of its most successful seasons in 1996. Posting 17 wins — a program record — the Hawks captured the America East Regular Season Championship before becoming the first team in school history to make a run to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite 8. A team captain in 1997, Sadler’s career was also highlighted by NAC All-Championship Team honors in 1995.

After his career at Hartford, Sadler took his talents to the professional rankings, playing one year of soccer for the York Shooters SC of the Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL).

Sadler’s coaching experience stretches across a variety of levels, as he has established himself as one of the top youth coaches in Connecticut. Prior to joining the Hawks, Sadler was the head girls’ varsity soccer coach at Northwest Catholic High School and a member of the coaching staff at Oakwood Soccer Club.

In 12 seasons as head coach, Sadler built Northwest Catholic into a perennial power, leading the Lions to four state championships in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015. A finalist for National Coach of the Year in 2012 and recipient of the Doc McInerney Coach of the Year Award in 2013 from the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance, he leaves Northwest Catholic as the winningest coach in program history with a 164-54-11 record and .752 winning percentage.

In his role at Oakwood Soccer Club, Sadler coached in the United States Developmental Academy and National Premier Leagues. Leading Oakwood to a pair of New England NPL Championships in 2014 and 2015, he provided guidance throughout the college recruiting process to five current Hawks, including Sierra Stone, the America East Rookie of the Year (2016) and Midfielder of the Year (2017)

“Todd’s ties to the local community and his coaching background will help our program continue to be one of the best in the America East,” continued Natale. “He is very familiar with our current roster, which should make the transition into our program seamless. I am extremely excited to be working with Todd in the future!”

Sadler has also coached and trained several current and former professional players, including Brad Guzan (US Men’s National Team, Atlanta United MLS, Aston Villa EPL), Josh Lambo (FC Dallas), Eric Lichaj (US Men’s National Team, Hull City) and Chris Schuler (Real Salt Lake MLS).

Sadler, who holds a United States Soccer Federation National “C” License, graduated from Hartford in 1998 with a degree in elementary education.

He joins a Hartford squad that has had great success in the America East under Natale, who enters his 16th season at the helm in 2019. The Hawks won their fourth America East regular season championship in the past five years in 2018 after finishing 13-2-2.

In addition, Hartford, which has won 10 or more games in seven of the past eight seasons, is coming off a 2018 campaign that saw it post the program’s highest winning percentage (.824) since 1997, when the squad went 19-2-1 (.886).

Story and photo courtesy of University of Hartford

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