Erik Visser began his tenure as Athletics Director at Solano College in 2014. Visser has been able to continue the rich tradition of Solano College Athletics through successful implementation of the Four Pillars of Success: academic excellence, athletic competitiveness, good citizenship, and engagement in the community.

Under Visser’s leadership, the Falcons have improved student success rates through an innovative student support program which includes a collaboration of coaches, faculty, academic success center, athletic counselor, and academic mentors. Athletically, the Falcons have accumulated 10 Bay Valley Conference (BVC) Championships and were recognized with several Academic All-State selections. 

Since joining Solano, the Falcons have launched a new Presto Sports website as well as initiating varsity men’s and women’s tennis programs. The Falcons have successfully hosted a number of high-level events, including the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Volleyball Championships, the Fairfield Tennis Challenger, and the annual Tee Off for Athletes golf tournament.

Additionally, the Solano Community College District has completed a number of capital improvements including resurfacing the tennis courts, renovation of the softball bleachers, updating the swimming pool deck, and adding new electronic scoreboards in the baseball and softball stadiums.

Visser has nearly four decades of experience successfully serving student-athletes in intercollegiate athletics as a coach, teacher, mentor, and administrator. A native of the Netherlands, he arrived in the United States in 1978 and was a four-year men’s soccer letter winner at the University of San Francisco. Visser played on one of college soccer’s dynasties, helping the Dons to two NCAA Championships in 1978 and 1980. After graduating from USF with a bachelor’s degree in 1982, he began his coaching career as an assistant under soccer legend Steve Negoesco. 

In 1985, Visser became the first head coach of the USF women’s soccer program and the academic advisor for student-athletes, which included student-athletes from 14 varsity sports. During this period, Visser completed his Master’s in Counseling. Demonstrating strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills and a record of strict adherence to compliance to the institutional mission and NCAA rules and regulations, Visser was promoted in 1991 to the position of Assistant Athletics Director for Academic Services and NCAA Compliance. In addition to developing a comprehensive academic support program, he mentored dozens of student-athletes to success in the classroom culminating in West Coast Conference and regional academic recognition. 

For his efforts on behalf of the university and the athletic department, Visser earned the University of San Francisco’s Merit Service Award in 1993. In that year, he also earned a Master's in Sports and Fitness Management.

At the end of the 2000 season, Visser was appointed head men's soccer coach at his alma mater. Visser guided San Francisco to four NCAA Tournament appearances and three WCC Championships during his 13 seasons at the helm. A three-time WCC Coach of the Year, Visser mentored dozens of all-conference, all-region and All-American performers. Success was not confined to on-field success as Visser’s squads excelled academically and distinguished themselves through extensive community service. In 2016, Visser was inducted into the USF Athletics Hall of Fame.   

Visser and his wife Martha reside in American Canyon. They have two children, Brian (27), who works for Magento Corporation in Southern California, and Lauren (23), who works for Price Waterhouse in San Francisco. Both are alumni of the University of San Francisco.