Ahmed Dwidar’s passion for soccer enabled him to build up a once downtrodden, dungeon dwelling Haldane team. At just 23, Dwidar built a culture that brought a soccer presence to a small school that previously lacked the numbers to compete with the bigger surrounding programs and competition. He created a 12-month program that included indoor leagues, team activities, and year round workouts that revived the once ailing program.
Dwidar brought a Section 1 title to Haldane in his first season as head coach and continued a winning culture, bolstered by a stingy defense and high level scorers such as the electrifying Jay Marchese.
Since leaving Haldane, Dwidar has spent most of his time focusing on his 9-to-5 businesses, albeit his love for soccer never waned. He worked as an assistant at Walter Panas and additionally imparted his wisdom at Dutchess Community College, which has built up its sports program significantly in recent years.
Having a connection to international talent in his Homeland of Egypt, Dwidar has the ability to recruit locally and internationally. That’s one of the draws of hiring him to a collegiate program.
But those who remember what Dwidar brought to Haldane, pumping life and building camarederie where it was sorely lacking, know he possesses the tool set to build a local program from scratch.
There is a whisper of wonder in the Cold Spring community if Dwidar will look to reinsert himself in the soccer community he once built at Haldane, albeit nothing is etched in stone.
With his commitment to developing several NCAA and NJCAA bound student athletes, it’s clear soccer has been the seasoned coach’s true labor of love. Player development, Uber competitive practices, and an unwavering commitment to holding his players accountable will surely be guaranteed wherever the 34-year-old lands.
