POMONA, Calif. - Cal Poly Pomona Director of Athletics Brian Swanson announced Tuesday afternoon the hiring of Yossi Raz as the Broncos' men's soccer head coach. Raz becomes the ninth head coach in the 30-year history of the program.

"I'm humbled and excited for this opportunity," Raz said. "I'm joining a great athletic department and I'm looking forward to the elite level of soccer in the highly-competitive California Collegiate Athletic Association. In my time at Cal State Northridge, I've learned that hard work always wins. I know our team at Cal Poly Pomona will represent the university in the finest possible way."

Raz previously served as the associate head coach at Cal State Northridge, where he helped the Division I Matadors capture their first-ever Big West Conference Tournament in 2012. Earlier this year, College Soccer News named Raz one of the Top 15 assistant coaches in the country.

"I am extremely pleased that Coach Raz has agreed to join the Bronco family," Vice President for Student Affairs Doug Freer said.  "After a very competitive search, there was consensus that his experience, dedication, and enthusiasm were best to lead our men's soccer program."

In Raz's eight seasons as a coach at Cal State Northridge, the Matadors posted a record of 82-68-29 (.539) with two Big West regular season titles, a Big West Tournament Championship and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

"Coach Raz's experience in coaching and recruiting will move our program forward," Swanson said. "His decorated playing career is equally as impressive as his academic accomplishments and involvement in community service programs. His ability to develop student-athletes on and off the field certainly enhances the Bronco Soccer student-athlete experience."

After stepping onto the Northridge campus as a student-athlete in 2001, Raz quickly helped develop the program into a consistent contender on the national stage.

He became the first player in conference history to be named to the All-Big West Conference First Team in each of his four seasons and he also earned Freshman of the Year honors. While playing at CSUN, Raz led the Matadors to three straight NCAA Tournaments from 2002-04 and a second-round appearance in 2003.

He was also named Big West Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2002 and received All-Big West Academic honors each year he was eligible for the award.  While at CSUN, Raz received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications in 2005 and a Master of Arts degree in Recreation and Sport Management in 2010.

Raz joined the coaching staff in 2005 and had an immediate impact as CSUN compiled a 15-4-3 record and a Big West championship. In his first year on staff, Northridge made the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, defeating rival UC Santa Barbara at home in the program's lone Division I Tournament victory.

Outside of the collegiate soccer scene, Raz has also played a key role in the futures of student-athletes at the club level. Most recently, he has served as an academy director at GSI - Steve Sampson Soccer Academy and as an academy head coach for the Real So Cal Soccer Club.

Born and raised in Israel, Raz played for the country's National Team at the youth level from 1993 through 1995.

For Raz and Cal Poly Pomona men's soccer, the 2013 season will begin in early September with non-conference play. The Broncos' California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opener will be Friday, Sept. 13 at Cal State L.A. During the 2012 season, CPP went 3-11-3 overall and 1-11-3 through conference play.

Information in this release courtesy of the Cal State Northridge media relations department.