Kotch was raised in Hatfield, Massachusetts, and graduated from
Smith Academy in 1977. While attending the College, he was a
standout goalkeeper on the Men’s Soccer Team from 1977-1980.
During this time he earned several honors and awards for his
outstanding ability in the sport. The team was ranked 4th
nationally in Division III soccer in 1978 largely due to
Peter’s contributions. He participated in the NCAA Tournament
and the Massachusetts State College Championships in 1977-1979, and
in the NCAA New England Championships in 1978. He received the
Louis Parisien “Best Scholar Athlete” award in 1979-80.
In 1980 he was listed as one of the Top 25 College Players in the
nation. He was drafted professionally by the Hartford Hellions of
the Major Indoor Soccer League in 1980-81. The end of college
certainly did not mean the end of Peter’s athletic
career.
In 1981 Peter was an assistant soccer coach at the College. He also
played in several semi-pro leagues until 1989. He coached the boys
Jr. High basketball team at Smith Academy in 1982-1989 and the Boys
Varsity Soccer team there from 1982-1989. He played soccer in the
Baystate Games Men’s Division in 1984-85 and coached WMAS
Boys Soccer Baystate Games in 1986. Peter has been the Commissioner
for the Connecticut Valley Soccer Officials Association since 1995
with the responsibility of assigning officials to approximately
1,200 high school soccer games.