STAN BOMBINO

Category: Coach
Sport: Men's Soccer/Men's Indoor Soccer
Institution: Durham College
Inducted: 2023

Stan Bombino arrived at Durham College in 1977 as highly acclaimed soccer player. Making headlines immediately as a freshman, Stan became the first Durham Lords soccer player to win the OCAA scoring title scoring 13 goals. The following season, Stan finished second in league scoring with nine goals in eight games, accounting for more than half of Durham's offence. Stan's 22 goals still ranks third on the Durham College all-time men's soccer career scoring list.

Stan's involvement and accomplishments at Durham College continued as a coach. Taking over the highly successful Durham men's soccer program, the Lords posted an impressive overall record of 119-66-20 during Stan's 16 years as head coach. The Lords were always contenders qualifying for the OCAA final eight a total of nine times in his career.

In Stan's very first season as head coach in 1998, the Lords upset the undefeated Algonquin Thunder to advance to the OCAA championship semi-finals, where they would ultimately finish in fourth place in Ontario. The following season, the Lords went 9-1-0 during the regular season to win the Central East Division championship, eventually winning a bronze medal at the OCAA championship.

That success put Durham College on the national map as the program enjoyed three straight years of being nationally ranked in the Top 5 in Canada. As hosts of the 1999 CCAA national championship, the Lords found themselves back on the podium as they earned a national bronze medal, beating Dawson College of Quebec 1-0 at Civic Stadium.

Stan coached four CCAA All-Canadians and was named CCAA Coach of the Year in 1999. Stan is also a two-time OCAA Central East Division Coach of the Year.

A stellar playing career combined with a highly successful and lengthy coaching career at Durham College makes Stan deserving of Hall of Fame status.