Around The USCAA - 9/26/16
Around the USCAA is a weekly article that highlights current happenings, key matchups, and relevant news stories from across the association. If you have a relevant news piece that you would like considered for inclusion please send it to info@theuscaa.com.
Bill Ashby Collects 400th Match Win
Fort Kent, Maine--University of Maine at Fort Kent men's soccer coach Bill Ashby reached a major milestone when his team defeated University of Maine Machias Sunday afternoon, as he recorded his 400th career victory on Sunday afternoon, defeating the school where his career began. He becomes only the 42nd head coach in United States Collegiate soccer history to reach the plateau. Ashby becomes the 19th active coach to reach 400 wins. His overall record is 400-173-24.
Ashby took over the University of Maine at Machias program in 1984, where his team went 1-9. He improved each season there and eventually got his squad to a 5-6-1 record in his final season there in 1987. He then moved onto Husson University where he turned the program around, winning two games in his first season to a 12-7-1 record, winning Conference coach of the year in the process.
Maine Maritime Academy, in 1992 is where the real success began for Coach Ashby. He led his teams there to four winning seasons, winning 64 games in six seasons. From then on, he has turned in an overall winning record at each stop prior to arrival in Fort Kent.
He spent four years each at the University of Mary in North Dakota and Brescia University in Kentucky, winning 58 and 50 games, respectively. During those eight seasons, he was named NAIA Regional Coach of the Year twice, NAIA Sectional Coach of the Year twice, KIAC Conference Coach of the Year and in 2001 was a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Regional Coach of the Year.
Coach Ashby came to Fort Kent in 2006 and was named athletic director and men's soccer coach. His winning percentage speaks for itself and shows the utter dominance his teams have displayed in his 10 complete seasons. Through 10 games of his 11th season as the man in charge of the Bengals, he is an astonishing 188-15-6. His win percentage is slightly under 90%. His teams won the USCAA National Championship in both the 2011 and 2015 seasons. His UMFK teams have never lost more than three matches in a single season and have won 20 or more, five times. Ashby has been chosen as NSCAA Coach of the Year six different times while at the helm of the Bengals. In 2015, he was recognized by his peers and association as USCAA National Coach of the Year.
Arguably his best team ever, the 2008 squad, who was inducted into the UMFK Hall of Fame last year, made it all the way to the NAIA Elite 8, which made them one of the top eight teams nationally among the NAIA. This was the furthest a UMFK team, men or women, in any sport had ever advanced.
In total, Ashby has completed 31 seasons of coaching, 24 Coach of the Year awards, two National Championships and in 2014 was named as USCAA Athletic Director of the Year. He also holds the school record for victories at Maine Maritime Academy, Brescia University and University of Mary. Upon completion of the 2016 season, Ashby will also hold UMFK’s all-time record for soccer coaching victories.
*Article Courtesy of University of Maine Fort Kent Athletic Website
Miracle League of Central Illinois
On Sunday September 26th, members of the RMU Springfield softball team and coaching staff volunteered as buddies and coaches for the Miracle League of Central Illinois.
The Miracle League of Central Illinois provides physically and mentally challenged children a safe and spirited program in which they can play on a baseball field just like other kids. Miracle League baseball offers a unique and memorable opportunity these children would not otherwise have.
The Miracle League is a place where every player has the opportunity to run the bases, score and win at every Miracle League game inning. Players who need help with hitting, catching and throwing the ball are paired with a “buddy” who helps out.
This was an amazing and unforgettable experience for the players and coaches who definitely hope to have the opportunity again next year.
*Courtesy of Robert Morris University-Springfield Campus Athletic Department
WVU Tech Soccer to Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer October 1
BECKLEY, West Virginia -- The WVU Tech men's and women's soccer teams will be going gold during their home games on October 1, 2016 in Beckley, West Virginia at the YMCA Paul Cline Memorial Complex to help in the fight against childhood cancer.
The players will wear gold shoe laces as part of the Go4theGoal's Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer® initiative. Money generated from Tech's gold lace sales, plus any additional donations received will support kids battling cancer.
Admission will be free for Golden Bear fans who can wear gold to show support for the cause. The women will kick it off at 2 p.m. and the men will follow at 4 p.m., both teams will face Brescia University.
To help WVU Tech in their fight against childhood cancer, please consider purchasing gold laces or making a donation at http://go4thegoal.org/shop.html.
About Go4theGoal Foundation: Go4theGoal Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2006 by Dr. Richard and Beth Stefanacci, soon after their oldest son Richard was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.
In 2011, Go4theGoal launched two national campaigns, National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Day and Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer. These campaigns give schools, businesses and sports teams an opportunity to raise awareness and much needed support for kids battling cancer.
Go4theGoal provides children undergoing cancer treatment and their families with financial assistance, runs fun hospital-based programs, grants special wishes and supplies state of the art electronic products to children and pediatric oncology units across the country.
*Article Courtesy of WVU Tech Athletic Website
Key Weekly Matchups
Men’s Soccer
9/28/16 – USC – Lancaster at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte – 8:00 P.M. EST
9/29/16 – Concordia College of Alabama at Fisk University – 4:00 P.M. CDT
10/2/16 – Vermont Tech at NHTI – 12:00 P.M. EST
Women’s Soccer
9/26/16 – Carlow University at Chatham University – 7:00 P.M. EST
9/27/16 – Chowan University at Washington Adventist University – 4:00 P.M. EST
9/30/16 – Hampshire College at NHTI – 4:00 P.M. EST
10/1/16 – Fisher College at Dean College – 12:00 P.M. EST
Women’s Volleyball
9/26/16 – The Crown College at Georgia Northwestern Technical College – 7:00 P.M. EST
9/27/16 – South Florida State College at Florida College – 7:00 P.M. EST
10/1/16 – UC Clermont at Illinois Tech – 10:00 A.M. EST
10/1/16 – PSU Mont Alto at PSU Fayette – 4:00 P.M. EST