Crusader alum Jeff Oleck is entering his third season as an assistant coach for the Valparaiso men’s soccer program in 2011. Oleck assists in all aspects of on-field training and works directly with the Crusader goalkeepers. In addition, he assists with the Crusaders’ recruiting efforts and also works as the academic and compliance coordinator for the athletes.

Last season, Oleck helped guide the Crusaders as they earned back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in program history.  Valpo won nine matches in 2010, surrendering just 16 goals (tied for the fewest in a single season in program history) and setting a new team record with eight clean sheets.  Under his guidance, goalkeeper Ryan Schwarz closed his Crusader career as Valpo's all-time leader in shutouts and goals against average, while fellow goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck positioned himself to take over the top spot in GAA early in 2011.

In his first season back at Valpo in 2009, Oleck assisted as the Crusaders set a new program record with 10 victories and advanced to the Horizon League Championship semifinals. Under his tutelage, Schwarz set new single-season program records for both goals against average and shutouts, while Valpo as a whole gave up the third-fewest goals in a single season in program history.

Prior to returning to the Crusader pitch, Oleck spent three years as an assistant coach, focusing on working with the goalkeepers, and recruiting coordinator at Wabash College.  In his time at Wabash, he helped coach nine All-NCAC selections and shaped the Little Giants defense with his goalkeeping expertise, as the team sliced over half a goal off its goals against average during Oleck’s time there.

Oleck has also gained significant coaching experience outside the collegiate realm.  He has previously served as the Senior Program Director of Coaching for Northwest Indiana United F.C., a premier soccer club based out of Chesterton, Ind.  He now serves as NWI United's goalkeeper trainer, and is also an assistant coach with the 95 Girl's Midwest Regional League team.  He is the Indiana Olympic Development Program (ODP) goalkeeper coach and has worked with various other camps and clinics such as the Indiana Goalkeeper Academy, Indiana Soccer Camp, and Valpo VIP Camp.  In addition, Oleck was the head coach for the Dynamo U16 boys squad in 2008 which won the Indiana Soccer League and qualified for the State Cup quarterfinals.  He also guided the Dynamo U15 squad to CIYSL and Challenge Cup titles in 2007.

A four-year starter in the net for the Crusaders, Oleck earned Second Team All-Mid-Continent Conference honors in 2005 after a season in which he registered a 1.71 goals against average, then third-lowest in program history, and five shutouts, then second-most in a single season all-time at Valpo.  He ended his four-year career with a school-record 14 shutouts and a 2.05 GAA, then second-lowest in program history.  He also tallied 345 saves in goal for his career, second-most all-time at Valpo and third in Mid-Con history.

Oleck graduated from Valparaiso in 2006 with a degree in biology, along with a business administration minor, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Sports Administration at Valparaiso University.  He holds his NSCAA Advanced National Goalkeeper Diploma and the USSF National “A” License.