April 30, 2003

Wachsman named new head coach for women's soccer

The Missouri Southern women's soccer program has steadily improved since its inaugural season in 1999. Now, Missouri Southern is turning to a new coach to help the program continue to build.

Trevor Wachsman, a two-year assistant coach at the University of Northern Colorado, has been named the Lady Lions new head women's soccer coach, athletics director Sallie Beard announced today.

"I was impressed with the level of energy and enthusiasm that Trevor will bring to the program," Beard said. "He has a wealth of diverse experience that I think will serve us well. He has competed at a very high level and we're excited that he can bring all of these things to our program."

Wachsman becomes the second head coach in Missouri Southern women's soccer history, replacing Geoff VanDeusen, who resigned in March to become head women's soccer coach and events coordinator at Central Missouri State University.

"I'm excited about the whole situation," Wachsman said. "Obviously the school and the community here really support the whole athletics program and are involved in not only having quality athletics but also having a quality academic institution.

"Geoff did a good job of getting the program to where it is," Wachsman said. "I think the pieces are in place here for the program's growth to continue."

In his two years as UNC's assistant coach, the Bears compiled a record of 28-12-1 and advanced into the NCAA Division II Tournament both years. In 2001, Northern Colorado posted a 15-7 overall record and made it to the round of 16 nationally. Last year, UNC finished 13-5-1. Wachsman also helped the Northern Colorado squad to National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic and Ethics awards in both 2001 and 2002.

While at UNC, Wachsman assisted head coach Tim Barrera with all aspects of the program, including practice, game-planning, coaching, recruiting, fundraising and monitoring student-athletes academic progress. A certified strength and conditioning specialist, he also served as strength coach for the team, establishing an offseason fitness, weight, speed and power training program. With WachsmanÕs assistance, UNC produced one NSCAA All-America and had several national and regional award-winners, both athletically and academically.

"Having been around a quality coach and a quality program at Northern Colorado, my expectations are pretty high," Wachsman said. "The players' expectations here are still pretty high, too."

Wachsman also worked as administrative director/staff coach at the Steamboat Soccer Academy in Steamboat Springs, Colo. From 1995-2000, he was a head coach for competitive youth soccer teams in Greeley, Durango and Steamboat Springs, Colo.

As a collegiate student-athlete, Wachsman was a three-time academic All-America as a skier at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. He also earned athletic All-America accolades twice during his collegiate skiing career.

After receiving his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Fort Lewis in 2000, Wachsman worked as head men's and women's ski coach at his alma mater in 2001. He led the men's and women's teams to regional championships and took the women to their first-ever appearance at the national championships.

The 2001 Exercise Science Major of the Year at Fort Lewis, Wachsman earned his master's degree in physical education-kinesiology in December of 2002 from Northern Colorado.

Missouri Southern finished the 2002 season with a school record 11 victories, going 11-5-2 overall, and finished 7-3-2 for third place in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The Lady Lions are slated to open the 2003 regular season on August 29 in Bolivar, Mo. vs. Minnesota State-Mankato.