University of Rochester Athletics

University of Rochester alumnus Ben Cross '04, '05 (M), a former soccer team captain and Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, was named the next men's soccer Head Coach at the University in March 2024 and began his appointment in April 2024. Cross succeeded another Yellowjacket alum, Chris Apple '92, who retired after 23 successful years.

In his first season at the helm, Cross guided the Yellowjackets to a 9-4-4 (3-2-2 UAA) record, and a third-place finish in the University Athletic Association (UAA). Cross' first year saw six 'Jackets earn All-UAA honors, including a trio of first-team selections in Milos Bisenic, Santino Lupica-Tondo and Nick Swanger, while five received All-Region status.
  
Cross joined the University after a stellar career as a First Team Assistant Coach across two Major League Soccer (MLS) franchises during the last six years. Cross has worked the last two seasons with FC Dallas, helping the team make the MLS playoffs each season.
 
Prior to working in Texas, Cross was a First Team Assistant Coach with the Columbus Crew for three seasons, helping the Crew to the 2020 MLS Cup title and 2021 Campeones Cup championship.
 
In addition, he was Columbus Crew Academy U18/19 Head Coach from 2016-18, earning 2018 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Central Coach of the Year honors. That season his team reached the Development Academy national semifinals.
 
Cross' roots in coaching begin in the Rochester area. He served as an Assistant Coach under Apple at UR in the fall of 2005, helping the Yellowjackets earn UAA Coaching Staff of the Year accolades after posting an unbeaten regular season and UAA conference title.
 
Also starting in 2005, Cross began working with Empire United Academy as a Head Coach within the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. That stint continued for 11 years and included a 2012 season in which he was named Northeast Division Coach of the Year.
 
While working as a teacher at West Irondequoit Central Schools from 2006-16, Cross continued his collegiate coaching career as an Assistant Coach at Nazareth College for five years.
 
As a player on the River Campus, Cross was a four-year starter and three-time team captain on the pitch for Rochester. He was heavily decorated for his play, earning multiple All-Region accolades from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and University Athletic Association.
 
Cross was UAA Rookie of the Year in 2000 and garnered First Team All-Association awards in both 2002 and 2004. His play on the field helped the Yellowjackets earn four Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) titles and post a 55-13-9 overall record during four seasons.
 
Statistically, Cross ended his UR career with 59 total points, coming on 16 goals and 27 assists over 76 total games. He ranks second all-time in the Rochester record books in assists and has nine game-winning goals to his credit, ranking fourth on the UR all-time list.
 
He graduated from Rochester with dual degrees in Biology and Political Science in 2004 and later received his Master's degree in Education, Biology grades 7-12, from the University's Warner School of Education in 2005.
 
Cross holds his USSF Pro License, USSF A License, MLS Elite Formation Coaching License and NSCAA Advanced National Diploma.
 
He is a native of London, England, but went to high school in the Rochester area, attending Pittsford Mendon HS. Cross is married to his wife Sara, and has two daughters Caroline aged 10, and Olivia aged 8.
 

YEAR BY YEAR COACHING RECORD
		OVERALL			CONFERENCE
YEAR	SCHOOL	WIN	LOSS	TIE	WIN	LOSS	TIE	POSTSEASON
2024	University of Rochester	9	4	4	3	2	2	None
	ROCHESTER TOTALS	9	4	4	3	2	2
	GRAND TOTAL	9	4	4	3	2	2
	GRAND TOTAL PERCENT	.647			.571			* - Indicates UAA Champions

(Updated 12/2024)