For men’s soccer head coach Erik Ronning ’97, Colgate University is more than a workplace. It is a somewhere that has shaped his life.
A member of the Class of 1997 and current head coach of the men’s soccer team, Ronning first arrived on campus in the fall of 1993 as a recruited player from Simsbury, Conn. What began as an opportunity to play college soccer quickly expanded into something more formative. Looking back, he emphasized that his experience extended well beyond the field and recalled how much he valued every part of campus life.
“I loved every other aspect of my experience as well, from an educational standpoint, from a student life standpoint,” Ronning said.
Ronning’s path to coaching was not entirely planned. After graduating, he remained at Colgate as an assistant coach, a decision that allowed him to stay connected to a community he valued while exploring a new direction. That experience ultimately led him back in 2005 as head coach. Now entering his 22nd season, he has guided the program to sustained success, including multiple Patriot League championships and NCAA tournament appearances, and in 2025, became the winningest coach in program history.
Even with these accomplishments, Ronning is quick to challenge conventional ideas of success. He describes it not as a steady upward climb, but as a process with setbacks and growth along the way.
“Success isn’t linear. You wish it was, but that’s not the way life works,” Ronning said.
As a student, Ronning balanced athletics with a wide range of campus involvement, including intramurals, fraternity life and campus jobs. That balance, he noted, is one of the clearest differences between the athletic program then and now. While the university’s academic foundation has remained consistent, he believes the structure of athletics has shifted significantly, explaining that today’s environment demands a more focused and intensive commitment.
According to Ronning, student-athletes are now recruited with a clear purpose: to excel academically while dedicating themselves fully to their sport.
“We’re recruiting young men who want to come here, get a great education, maximize their potential, put a lot into their sport and also focus on their academics,” Ronning said.
This shift, he explains, leaves less room for the broader range of activities that once defined his own experience. Despite this, Ronning does not see the change as a loss. Instead, he believes the increased demands have strengthened team culture.
Reflecting on the shared challenges his players face, from early mornings to long travel days, Ronning pointed to the same sense of unity that defines his team.
“They’re all doing this together, and I believe that the bonds that have been created amongst our student athletes have certainly been enhanced,” Ronning said.
The collective experience is central to the program he has built. With that unity also comes responsibility. Ronning emphasized that representing Colgate extends beyond competition, noting that his players are highly visible members of the campus community and are expected to uphold strong standards at all times.
“You’re always representing Colgate soccer. You’re always wearing that shirt year-round, no matter where you are, and we want to make sure our young men are being great people and representing this institution in the brightest light,” Ronning said.
For Ronning, the most meaningful outcomes are not defined by wins alone, but by the development of his players over time. He finds the greatest reward in watching athletes grow from first-years into leaders.
“Seeing their growth from 18-year-old to 22-year-old, from being a passenger to being a driver of the ship, is incredibly rewarding,” Ronning said.
That long-term perspective also shapes his approach to coaching. While core values remain constant, he recognizes the need to evolve alongside each new group of players and adapt to the changing dynamics within the sport.
“I have to be adaptable, because every year I have a new generation of kids that are completely different, and I have to meet them where they’re at so that we can continue to move forward in a positive way,” Ronning said.
With 22 seasons and a program record for wins, Ronning has redefined success at Colgate. But for him, the greatest victories happen off the field, in watching students become leaders. In many ways, that mindset bridges the gap between Colgate University Athletics then and now.
