Dave Kern rejoined the Lebanon Valley College men’s soccer team as the Goalkeeper Coach before the start of the 2026 season. He previously served as an Assistant Coach for the Dutchmen during the 2006 campaign.
Kern came back to The Valley with an extensive soccer résumé as a coach and player. He previously coached professional soccer for five seasons, working with the Harrisburg City Islanders of the United Soccer League (USL) as an Assistant Coach for four years and the Harrisburg Heat of the Major Arena Soccer League 2 as a player and Assistant Coach for one year. Kern also has 26 years of youth coaching experience, and he has served as the Club Administrator for PA Classics Harrisburg since 2010. He was the Harrisburg City Islanders Youth Academy Director for five years as well. Additionally, Kern was the Head Coach for Central Dauphin East High School for seven years and an Assistant Coach at Central Dauphin High School for four years.
Kern played professionally for 10 seasons, including four seasons each with both the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Second Division and the Baltimore Blast of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). He was also a member of the Real Maryland Monarchs of the USL Second Division for a year. Kern was the starting goalkeeper for the Islanders for multiple years and was a member of the 2007 USL Second Division Championship team. Additionally, he contributed to the Baltimore Blast capturing MISL titles in 2008 and 2009.
Kern played collegiate soccer at College Misericordia (now Misericordia University), where he was the starting goalie for four years. He put together a standout career for the Cougars, recording 400 saves, 51 wins, 29 shutouts, and an .833 save percentage. Kern is still the program’s all-time leader in career saves and career wins. Additionally, the goalkeeper’s 18 wins during the 2000 campaign are tied for the most in a season in Misericordia history. Kern was recognized for his production with three All-Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) honors and two All-Region accolades. He also helped lead the Cougars to the 2000 PAC Championship and the first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
Kern graduated from Misericordia in 2004 with a degree in General Arts. In addition to his education, he holds a U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) “C” Coaching License, as well as National Christian School Athletic Association (NCSAA) Regional and Advanced Regional Diplomas.
