By Adam Levine
Sports Editor
Kristina Kern, 44, is in her ninth season as the Rams’ head women’s soccer coach and is a member of the Framingham State Class of 2003.
Kern said she started playing soccer when she was around 5 years old.
She said, “It's just a fun sport.
“I started playing in the field and then I transitioned into a goalkeeper as I got into my teenage years,” Kern added.
Kern played three sports during her time as a student at FSU - soccer, basketball, and softball.
She said she played soccer and softball for four years, but played basketball her first three years.
Kern said, “I would say I had the longest career in soccer, but I thoroughly enjoyed playing multiple sports.”
She said part of the reason she came to FSU as a student was to play multiple sports. “I was looking at higher divisions but the opportunity to play multiple sports was a benefit.”
Kern said she also came to FSU because of the head coach at the time, Sarah Behn.
She said, “I wanted to play for her.
“The program was not that strong and she wanted to change a lot of things.
“I wanted to be a part of the program change, which I think I was, as well as the team was,” Kern added.
Kern said her favorite memory playing soccer is when she played overseas in Australia for a season after college.
In short, she said, “It was amazing. It was amazing.”
She said it was awesome “being able to play a sport that I love and to meet new people.”
Kern said a year after graduating from FSU, she began her coaching career as an assistant coach for the Rams.
After that, she spent 10 years coaching women’s varsity soccer at Holliston High School.
Kern said she also coached a little bit of softball at Dover-Sherborn High School and Hopkinton High School and coached recreational basketball for her daughter.
Kern said she saw the head women’s soccer coach position was open at FSU nearly a decade ago.
She said, “I had a positive relationship with the athletic department and heard the position was open, so we both kind of mutually reached out to each other.
“I thought it'd be a great opportunity to be able to go back and give back to the University that gave me so much.
“For me, it's a positive way to recruit for players because I understand where they're going and what the University has to offer,” she added.
Kern is supported by assistant coaches Kirsten Hansen and Shannon McCarthy.
She said, “I'm really excited about what we're going to be able to do this year and for the future and our coaching staff.
“I also think it's a benefit we have three women, not a lot of coaching staff have three women,” Kern added.
Kern said she got into coaching because of “the love for the sport.”
She said, “I love to be able to help explain the game to players - I love to be involved with them in a different capacity.
“I love to see them succeed and to progress each day,” Kern added.
Kern said she also works as a special education teacher in Holliston.
She said, “I love my students and I think I have a good rapport with them.”
Kern said her favorite part of being a coach is “the ability to lead a positive team culture.”
She said, “The players make my job very enjoyable. I love coming and working with them every day.”