TIGER SOCCER COMPLETES STAFF FOR 2022-23 SEASON
Mitchell, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan University Head Men's and Women's Soccer Coach, Nicolas Reinhard announced the hiring of Associate Head Soccer Coach, John Hakari on Thursday. Hakari will complete the soccer staff for the 2022-23 season and serve as associate head coach for both the men's and women's soccer programs, while Reinhard continues to oversee both teams.
Hakari comes to DWU after serving as head coach at Southeast Community College in Nebraska since 2020. During his time with the SCC Storm, Hakari oversaw all aspects of the women's soccer program, including player development, health and training programs, and all management aspects for the program under the NJCAA. In his first two season with the Storm, he guided them to two regional championships and was named the NJCAA D2 Region 9 Coach of the Year during the 2020-21 season.
While coaching the Storm, Hakari also served as the head coach for various club teams of the Villareal Nebraska Academy.
Prior to his coaching roles in the Nebraska area, Hakari worked with the De Pere Select Soccer Club in Green Bay, Wis., for five years. He served as the boys and girls Junior Varsity head coach for Luxemburg-Casco High School in Luxemburg, Wis., for two seasons before moving to Lincoln for law school in 2012. Hakari has volunteered as a coach for various Nebraska soccer organizations, including the former Magellan Soccer Club and the YMCA.
Hakari has played soccer for as long as he can remember. He played on various club teams at various levels throughout Wisconsin, as well as for his high school. Hakari played NCAA Division III college soccer for St. Norbert College in Green Bay, Wis, where he was named First Team Academic All-Conference for the Midwest Conference in 2010.
Hakari graduated from the UNL College of Law in 2015, and is an immigration attorney in Lincoln, Neb. Hakari speaks Spanish fluently, and has spent significant time in Mexico, where he attended the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in Guadalajara, Mexico, and the Universidad de Guanajuato in Guanajuato, Mexico. He holds a U.S. Soccer National Level D & E Coaching License and is in progress of obtaining his U.S. Soccer National Level C License.
Head Soccer Coach, Nicolas Reinhard spoke on the hiring of Hakari stating, "John is an outstanding addition for us. His women's soccer head coaching experience, as well as his passionate personality will be a valuable resource to both programs. We're looking forward to welcoming him to the Mitchell community and Tiger family."
