ITHACA, N.Y., — Ithaca College announced today a gift of $100,000 to the endowment that supports the men's soccer program, made in memory of former Bomber standout James Bredin '91. The gift made possible by the SUSA FC Soccer Academy and its CEO Glenn Schneider '91, a college friend of Bredin, significantly strengthens the long-term sustainability of the endowment and will provide lasting resources to enhance the student-athlete experience.  
 
The gift will be formally presented to Ithaca College director of intercollegiate athletics Aaron Bouyea and head coach Gabe Kuhn by Schneider and his wife Kori (Weaving) Schneider '91 - both IC alumni and classmates of Bredin's - together with James' widow and college sweetheart, Jen (Cooper) Bredin '91 and daughter Jess '23. The presentation will take place during an on-field ceremony prior to the 3:00 pm kickoff of Ithaca vs. Vassar men's soccer game at IC's Carp Wood Field on Saturday, September 27.
 
"Kori and I, along with the entire SUSA FC family, are proud to make this gift to ensure that the legacy of our dear friend James Bredin lives on at Ithaca College," said Schneider. "James and I both met our wives at Ithaca, and the times we all shared together there remain some of the most meaningful of our lives. Losing James was heartbreaking, but it's comforting to know that his love for soccer and Ithaca continues to bring us together and ensure his spirit remains part of Ithaca soccer."
 
"We are deeply grateful to Glenn, Kori, and the entire SUSA FC family for their generosity in honoring James Bredin's legacy with this endowment," said Bouyea. "James' passion for the game, loyalty to his teammates, and a genuine care for others embodied the best of what it means to be a Bomber. This gift not only celebrates his life but also ensures that the Ithaca College men's soccer program will benefit from the same spirit of excellence and community that James represented."
 
To celebrate James' life and the gift, the weekend will also include a reunion of the 1991 Ithaca College men's soccer team during a pre-game tailgate. Confirmed attendees include former coach Andy Byrne and more than a dozen teammates including Pete Nagusky '92 and Mark Primeau '91.
 
James, who passed away unexpectedly in 2015 at the age of 46 from a blood clot, grew up in Pearl River, NY but built his life in Ashland, MA with his wife Jen, and their daughters, Jess  and Ellie. A standout left back for the Bombers and later an operations manager at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, James was known for his passion for soccer, his humor, and his gift for making everyone feel like a friend. His daughter Jess carried on his Ithaca College legacy by playing fullback for the women's soccer team.  The gift in his name ensures his love for family, friends, and Bomber soccer continues to inspire.
 
On the pitch, James was a four-year starter, helping the Bombers compile an impressive 46-18-5 record during his time on South Hill. He earned a spot in the starting lineup as a freshman and quickly became a key contributor. As a sophomore in 1988 he appeared in all 18 games, recording two assists and scoring three goals. He continued his consistent play as a junior, starting all 17 games and tallying four assists while leading the team to a 13-4 record. As a senior, he played in all 16 games and helped guide the Bombers to their fourth NCAA Division III Tournament appearance since 1984. He capped off his collegiate career with a First Team All-New York State selection.  Teammates Zac Shaw and Primeau both earned Second Team honors, while Andy Poklad was recognized as an Honorable Mention All-Region performer. 
 
Ithaca College vs Vassar College
Saturday, September 27
Carp Wood Field

• 12:00 pm-2:00 pm: Pre-Game Tailgate in Parking Lot
• 2:45 pm-2:55 pm: Ceremony and Remarks 
• 3:00 pm: Kickoff 

 
Friends, coaches and teammates remember James not only for his talent on the field, but for the spirit he brought to everyone around him. 
 
Former Coach Andy Byrne:
"It was an honor to have been his coach and to have had James as a friend. As a player he was a talented left back with great skill, terrific left foot and speed. In today's modern game many left backs first inclination is to attack and defending is secondary.  That was James -- he was ahead of his time. Off the field James was that person who lit up a room. Great smile, infectious laugh, a warm heart. James worked the room making everyone feel included. For those who were lucky enough to have known James, we miss him dearly, but I am confident that he would be proud of his wife Jen and his daughters Jess and Ellie."
 
Former Teammate Peter Nagusky:
alumni can still picture #16 and his mullet taking the ball from deep in our own end and streaking up that sideline. Off the field, he was one of one. He had an outrageously funny sense of humor, an infectious charm, and a love for Ithaca soccer. I was a year younger and looked up to him. It's hard to put into words how much love James had for Jen, his college sweetheart, and their two daughters. And it's terrific that this generous gift to the endowment can help some of the qualities that he embodied live on in the program for many years to come."
 
Former Teammate Mark Primeau
"I've had many positive soccer experiences in my life, but possibly the most impactful was walking onto the Ithaca campus in the fall of '87 and meeting my teammate and friend, James. He had a presence that drew people in, something hard to explain and a real passion for the things he loved; family, friends, and soccer. He was a true left back, flying up the touch line almost effortlessly. I am grateful to the Schneider family for this incredible gift, and for the chance each year to let James bring us together again. Go Bombers!"
 

About Ithaca College
Founded in 1892, Ithaca College is a residential college dedicated to building knowledge and confidence through a continuous cycle of theory, practice and performance. Home to some 4,600 undergraduate and graduate students, the college offers 138 undergraduate majors and minors and 20 graduate programs through its five schools: Business; Communications; Health Sciences and Human Performance; Humanities and Sciences; and Music, Theatre, and Dance.
 
IC is consistently ranked as one of the nation's top colleges for undergraduate teaching, one of the most "green" colleges, and one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly schools, with acclaimed music, theatre, and communications programs—in a location regularly named as one of America's best college towns.
 
About SUSA FC
Established in 2001, SUSA FC has become Long Island's largest and most prestigious soccer academy, serving more than 4,000 players from across Long Island and Queens. Offering programs for youth athletes aged 2 to 18, SUSA FC is committed to fostering both athletic excellence and personal growth. Guided by an experienced coaching staff, SUSA FC emphasizes player development by focusing on individual skills, teamwork, respect, discipline, and sportsmanship. The club provides an elite training environment designed to prepare players for the next level, whether that be collegiate, semi-professional, or professional soccer. SUSA FC operates out of the state-of-the-art SUSA Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex in Central Islip, Long Island's largest youth soccer facility. For more information about SUSA FC and its programs, please visit www.susaacademy.com.