DeLAND, Fla. – Three members of the Stetson men's soccer family will represent Puerto Rico on the international stage this summer as Head Coach
Emmett Rutkowski, former Hatter goalkeeper and former Stetson goalkeepers coach Owen Jack, and current Stetson assistant coach Eduardo "Eddie" Jimenez take part in international competition with the Puerto Rican Soccer Federation.
Rutkowski and Jack are serving as assistant coaches for the Puerto Rico U-16 Men's National Team at the UEFA-CONMEBOL Development Cup in Asunción, Paraguay from June 1-7. The tournament brings together youth national teams from South America and Europe for a series of developmental matches, with Puerto Rico set to face Bolivia, Greece, and host nation Paraguay.
"I am excited for the opportunity to develop and grow the game for Puerto Rico," Rutkowski said. "It has been an unbelievable experience to be a part of and also coach with former Stetson player and coach Owen Jack. Eddie is doing a fantastic job building the Puerto Rican Federation as the director and I am honored to represent them."
The opportunity marks another chapter in the growing relationship between Stetson Men's Soccer and the Puerto Rican Soccer Federation. Jack, a former Hatters goalkeeper who later returned to the program as goalkeepers coach, joins Rutkowski on the U-16 staff as the federation continues its investment in youth player development.
Meanwhile, Jimenez will be with the Puerto Rico Men's National Team as part of the coaching staff for an international friendly against Saudi Arabia on June 5 in Austin, Texas.
Jimenez currently serves as Sporting Director and Director of Scouting for the Federación Puertorriqueña de Fútbol while also remaining a member of the Stetson coaching staff. Since joining the Puerto Rican Federation, he has helped oversee player identification and development pathways while contributing to the growth of the federation's youth and senior national team programs.
The Development Cup is coordinated through a partnership between UEFA and CONMEBOL and is designed to provide elite youth national teams with meaningful international competition and developmental opportunities against top-level opponents from around the world.
For Rutkowski and Jack, the tournament offers a chance to help develop the next generation of Puerto Rican talent while gaining valuable international coaching experience. For Jimenez, it represents another important step in the continued growth of Puerto Rican soccer at both the youth and senior national team levels.
Together, the trio's involvement highlights Stetson Soccer's expanding influence beyond the collegiate game and onto the international stage.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
