Biography
By Jim Hague
It’s not everyday that Rutgers-Newark gets the nation’s top collegiate soccer player to join the Scarlet Raiders’ coaching staff.
But that’s what happened recently, when Wojtek Krakowiak signed on to become the assistant coach to new Scarlet Raiders’ men’s soccer coach Kevin East.
Krakowiak, a native of Poland who played high school soccer at Clifton High School, went on to Clemson University, where in 1998, he scored 31 goals, earning First Team All-America honors and more importantly, was presented with the Hermann Trophy, symbolic of being the top college soccer player in the country.
Winning the Hermann Trophy is basically soccer’s equivalent of capturing the Heisman Trophy in football. It is that prestigious of an honor.
Krakowiak said that some of the Scarlet Raiders were aware of his impressive resume when practice began last month.
“I think some of the kids picked up on the fact that I won the Hermann and that I played in the MLS (Major League Soccer),” Krakowiak said. “I think they follow college soccer and the MLS and recognized the name. They asked me the tough questions, like how hard was it to win it.”
In Krakowiak’s case, the road to becoming the nation’s top collegiate player was very difficult.
Born in Kielce, Poland 31 years ago, Krakowiak was well on his way toward establishing himself as one of Poland’s premier youth soccer players before he was 16 years old.
“I played for Poland’s national U-15 team and U-16 team and was all set to play Second Division there,” Krakowiak said.
But the family decided to leave Poland and seek a better life in the United States, setting their sights on Clifton, where other family members already resided.
Needless to say, it was a shock to young Wojtek.
“I wasn’t too thrilled,” Krakowiak said. “That summer, I was all set to play in the U-16 World Cup in Japan, but because we left for the United States, I wasn’t able to play. Once you leave, you can’t come back. It was disappointing, but my family was moving, so I had to come.”
When Krakowiak arrived in Clifton, he couldn’t speak the new language.
“Nothing at all, not two words of English,” Krakowiak said. “It was a culture shock for me. The transition to life here was a little difficult.”
It helped that Krakowiak had fellow students at Clifton who were of Polish descent. It also helped that he had immense soccer talents.
“Clifton has always had a great soccer program,” Krakowiak said. “I made some good friends there right away.”
Krakowiak had a brilliant career at Clifton, one that eventually would see him earn Hall of Fame honors from the school and was named to the school’s All-Decade Team for the 1990s.
After graduating from Clifton, Krakowiak first went to St. John’s University and helped the Red Storm win the NCAA Division I national title in 1996, winning national Rookie of the Year in the process.
But after two years at St. John’s, Krakowiak transferred to Clemson University, where he earned the Hermann Trophy, scoring 31 goals and collecting eight assists in 1998. He joined an elite group of players who earned the honor, including New Jersey natives Tony Meola (1989), Alexi Lalas (1991), and Claudio Reyna (1993). Alecko Eskandarian won the award in 2002, four years after Krakowiak.
“Those are some big names to receive that award,” Krakowiak said. “New Jersey has as many good soccer players in the country as anyone else. It’s an honor that never goes away, because you only get the award once in a lifetime. It meant a lot to me.”
After his college career was over, Krakowiak began a professional career, playing for a few years in the MLS with San Jose and Tampa Bay. He almost signed a contract with the MetroStars, but a groin injury curtailed his career.
“I had other surgeries as well,” Krakowiak said. “I tried to play again, but that was pretty much it.”
With his playing career over, Krakowiak turned his attention to a career as a real estate agent. For the last six years, Krakowiak has worked full-time in real estate, working the Passaic, Bergen and Morris County region. He also returned to St. John’s to receive his degree in sports management.
But deep inside, Krakowiak wanted to return to soccer. He coached with some local soccer clubs, as well as Kent Place in Summit (girls’ soccer) and Wayne Valley (boys’ soccer).
“I love coaching,” Krakowiak said. “It’s what I want to do. I can see myself coaching in the future.”
When the opportunity to become an assistant coach at Rutgers-Newark arose, Krakowiak jumped at the chance.
“I used to play against Kevin and I’ve known him for a long time,” Krakowiak said. “It’s a little step up from high school, but the players are more into the game and it’s more serious. Playing and coaching are two totally different things. I always have to be prepared as a coach.”
Krakowiak said that he’s enjoying his stay with the Scarlet Raiders.
“It’s been a great opportunity for me,” Krakowiak said. “I’ve learned a lot and learned a lot from Kevin and the knowledge he has. It takes a little while to build a program. We have a young team, but we’re coming along. I’m looking forward to the season.”
Krakowiak said that he’s still taking time to learn the names of the players.
“We have some nice kids who are getting to know me and I’m getting to know them,” Krakowiak said. “I am still learning about them. I almost know every name now. Everyone has been great here. I’m glad to be here.”
And obviously, with the credentials that Wojtek Krakowiak has, it’s safe to say that the Scarlet Raiders’ program is glad to have him as well.
