(Notre Dame, IN) The Holy Cross Athletic Department is excited to announce the hiring of Omar Gallo as the new Head Coach of the Holy Cross Men's Soccer Team.

Coach Omar is entering his third year with the Saints program, and first as Head Coach. During 2010-2011 season he began his tenure as the JV Head Coach where he led the team to an 8-4 record, and also served as the lead assistant coach where he was in charge of the goal keeper's and fitness training sessions. Currently Coach Omar also serves as the Director of Coaching for Coerver Coaching Indiana which is known and respected as the world's number one soccer skills teaching method.

Coach Omar was born and raised In Hamilton, ON, Canada prior to relocating to South Bend, Indiana to be with his wife. After graduating from Cathedral High School (Hamilton, ON) he continued his education at Mohawk College (Hamilton, ON) where he earned a Degree in Police Foundations. In 2005 Coach Omar received an athletic and academic scholarship to Cape Breton University (Sydney, NS). While attending Cape Breton he served as the men's soccer team captain, and helped capture the team's first Atlantic University Conference Championship. Throughout his career Coach Omar was named a first team All-Star, Academic-All-Canadian, and the Canadian Interuniversity Male Athlete of the Week. In 2008 he received a Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies Degree.

"With his past experience in coaching and successful playing career, we are very excited to have Coach Omar take over the program and help lead the team to the next level of success," said Athletic Director Bob Schermerhorn. "We're confident that with his desire, passion, and dedication to the game, great things will happen."

"First I would like to thank my wife for always being at my side and giving me the  necessary support to take on this position. I would also like to thank Holy Cross College for giving me this opportunity and believing in me and my abilities to lead this program further. With a strong core of the team returning, and a committed recruiting class, I can promise that we will compete in every game. I will set the bar high for my players, both on the field and in the classroom, and am confident they will define what it means to be a student athlete. If I can bring out the best of every player off of the field, then we will be successful on the field. GO SAINTS!"