Post by elon_phan on Jan 2, 2008 19:03:28 GMT -5
Neal Named Elon Women’s Soccer Coach
1/2/2008
ELON, N.C. – Elon University Director of Athletics Dave Blank today announced the hiring of UNC Wilmington assistant women’s soccer coach Chris Neal as the new Phoenix head women’s soccer coach.
The UNCW graduate earned his bachelor of arts degree as a political science major and a Spanish minor in 1995 and his master of education degree in education administration and supervision at Augusta State University in 1998. He holds the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America “Premier” diploma and the United States Soccer Federation “A” license – both the highest level possible.
Neal recently completed his seventh season working with the Seahawks. During that time (2001-07), UNCW compiled a 70-55-8 (.556) record and earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award for five consecutive campaigns. Prior to returning to his alma mater for the 2001 season, Neal enjoyed a successful stint as the head men’s soccer coach at Pfeiffer University.
“I would like to thank Dave Blank for the opportunity to lead the Elon University women's soccer program,” Neal said. “It's a tremendous honor to be joining such a prestigious university. The philosophy and leadership within the Phoenix department of athletics made a very strong impression on my wife, Amy, and I. I am excited to lead the team's growth both on and off the field. I would also like to thank UNCW head coach Paul Cairney for the tremendous experience over the past seven seasons."
In his three seasons at Pfeiffer (1998-2000), Neal directed the Falcons to a 36-22-4 (.613) ledger and their first-ever NCAA Division II ranking at 13th in the country. Prior to heading up the Pfeiffer program, Neal served two campaigns as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Augusta State (1996-97), where he helped the Jaguars improve from a 7-8 record in 1996 to a 14-6 slate in 1997.
“We consider ourselves very fortunate to have secured the services of someone with Chris Neal’s impressive credentials and qualities to guide our women’s soccer team,” Blank said. “His extensive background at the collegiate level and experience as a head coach will serve him well as he hits the ground running to build our program into a Southern Conference contender. We are extremely excited about the addition of Chris and Amy Neal to the Elon family.”
Neal has also served the NSCAA as its state technical director since 2001. In this role, he is responsible for organizing, advertising and instructing a variety of coaching education courses for hundreds of youth, high school and college coaches. Neal is also a USSF April Heinrichs Scholarship recipient, recognizing him for making a positive impact on the sport of women’s soccer.
–ELON–
1/2/2008
ELON, N.C. – Elon University Director of Athletics Dave Blank today announced the hiring of UNC Wilmington assistant women’s soccer coach Chris Neal as the new Phoenix head women’s soccer coach.
The UNCW graduate earned his bachelor of arts degree as a political science major and a Spanish minor in 1995 and his master of education degree in education administration and supervision at Augusta State University in 1998. He holds the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America “Premier” diploma and the United States Soccer Federation “A” license – both the highest level possible.
Neal recently completed his seventh season working with the Seahawks. During that time (2001-07), UNCW compiled a 70-55-8 (.556) record and earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award for five consecutive campaigns. Prior to returning to his alma mater for the 2001 season, Neal enjoyed a successful stint as the head men’s soccer coach at Pfeiffer University.
“I would like to thank Dave Blank for the opportunity to lead the Elon University women's soccer program,” Neal said. “It's a tremendous honor to be joining such a prestigious university. The philosophy and leadership within the Phoenix department of athletics made a very strong impression on my wife, Amy, and I. I am excited to lead the team's growth both on and off the field. I would also like to thank UNCW head coach Paul Cairney for the tremendous experience over the past seven seasons."
In his three seasons at Pfeiffer (1998-2000), Neal directed the Falcons to a 36-22-4 (.613) ledger and their first-ever NCAA Division II ranking at 13th in the country. Prior to heading up the Pfeiffer program, Neal served two campaigns as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Augusta State (1996-97), where he helped the Jaguars improve from a 7-8 record in 1996 to a 14-6 slate in 1997.
“We consider ourselves very fortunate to have secured the services of someone with Chris Neal’s impressive credentials and qualities to guide our women’s soccer team,” Blank said. “His extensive background at the collegiate level and experience as a head coach will serve him well as he hits the ground running to build our program into a Southern Conference contender. We are extremely excited about the addition of Chris and Amy Neal to the Elon family.”
Neal has also served the NSCAA as its state technical director since 2001. In this role, he is responsible for organizing, advertising and instructing a variety of coaching education courses for hundreds of youth, high school and college coaches. Neal is also a USSF April Heinrichs Scholarship recipient, recognizing him for making a positive impact on the sport of women’s soccer.
–ELON–