As a soccer and hockey player at Hamline University, he was known for his work ethic and being a good team player. Now Alex Morawiecki has instilled the same habits into the Piper men’s soccer program. The Winona, Minnesota native began coaching at Hamline in 2012 and is in his 12th season (61-96-16, 11 seasons) during the 2023-24 academic year.
In 2015, the Pipers returned to the MIAC playoffs for the first time in nine seasons. They gave eventual MIAC Champion St. Olaf all they wanted before falling 1-0. Their five conference wins was one more than the previous three seasons combined. The eight overall victories were the most by a men's soccer team since 2007. In addition, Abbai Habte, the team's leading scorer, became just the fourth HU player ever to be named to an All-Region team.
In 2017, the Pipers tied the school record for wins in a season with an overall mark of 12-6-1. Their 6-3-1 MIAC record earned them a first-ever home playoff game, a dramatic 2-1 overtime win over Saint John's. They made the playoffs again in 2018.
Piper athletes have received 10 all-conference honors with Morawiecki at the helm, and Oscar Campbell, now an assistant coach, and Adam King have also earned all-region honors.
In addition to on-field success, the Pipers have been a hit in the classroom. The team has earned an All-Academic Award from the NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) three times, and has had 45 MIAC Academic All-Conference honorees since 2013.
"As a student-athlete, my experience at Hamline was rewarding and rich in growth in all facets: academically, athletically and socially. So it is an honor to return here as a member of the staff," Morawiecki said. "As one of many proud alumni of this program, it is my goal to deliver the best possible experience for our guys while competing for MIAC Championships."
Morawiecki played three years of hockey and four years of soccer for the Pipers, graduating with a degree in Psychology in 2006. He received a master’s degree in organizational management from Concordia University (St. Paul) in 2009. He spent three seasons as an assistant women's soccer coach with the Division II school. In his first season with the Golden Bears (2006), they set a school record for wins, including their first-ever postseason triumph.
In 2009, Morawiecki joined the men’s staff at Division I Northern Illinois University, one of the top-25 teams in NCAA Division I. The next year, he moved to Xavier University, where he spent two seasons. In 2010, the Musketeers had one of the biggest turnarounds in NCAA history going 2-13-1 the year before to winning the Atlantic 10 Championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. They repeated as champs in 2011 and also earned the school’s first ever top-25 ranking.
Before joining the Pipers, Morawiecki did double duty - assisting at Schoolcraft College, a NJCAA Division I school and also serving as the head coach for a pair of youth teams with the Michigan Wolves-Hawks Youth Soccer Club.
In addition to that experience, he has Advanced Youth and National diplomas from the National Soccer Coaches of America.
Morawiecki and his wife Anna, along with sons Rudy and Mac, reside in St. Paul.
Alex Morawiecki’s Hamline Coaching Numbers:
| Year |
Overall Record |
MIAC Record |
Postseason |
| 2012 |
3-12-3 |
0-9-1 |
- |
| 2013 |
6-10-1 |
2-7-1 |
- |
| 2014 |
6-10-2 |
2-7-1 |
- |
| 2015 |
8-9-2 |
5-4-1 |
0-1 |
| 2016 |
9-6-2 |
3-5-2 |
- |
| 2017 |
12-6-1 |
6-3-1 |
1-1 |
| 2018 |
7-7-1 |
4-5-1 |
0-1 |
| 2019 |
3-12-1 |
1-9-0 |
- |
| 2020* |
- |
- |
- |
| 2021 |
2-12-3 |
0-7-3 |
- |
| 2022 |
5-12-0 |
2-8-0 |
- |
| Totals |
61-96-16 |
25-64-11 |
1-3 |
*The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
