Waynesburg hires new soccer head coaches

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(Information contributed by Waynesburg sports information office)

WAYNESBURG, Pa. (July 8) – Waynesburg University Department of Athletics Director Larry Marshall announced the hiring of two new head soccer coaches for the upcoming 2014 season. Brad Heethuis will lead the men's team, while his wife, Laura (Heyboer) Heethuis will lead the Yellow Jacket women.

"We look forward to having Brad and Laura join the Waynesburg University team," Marshall said. "They bring a high level of enthusiasm and personal experience that will continue the positive trajectory of the soccer programs."

The pair will replace former head coach Carl Griffiths, who led the men and women's teams over the past two seasons. The 2014-2015 academic year will mark the first time since 2009 that the men's and women's soccer teams have featured separate head coaches.

Brad comes to Waynesburg after spending last year as an assistant coach with the Calvin College (Michigan) men's soccer team. He also served as an assistant girls soccer coach at Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville, Michigan.

He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education/exercise science from Calvin, where he spent four years as a member of the Knights men's soccer team. While coaching, Brad earned a Master of Science degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sports administration and coaching at Michigan State University.

Brad was a member of four Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Association champion teams and played in the 2009 and 2011 Division III national championship games. His individual accolades include being named MIAA Conference Player of the Week and a member of the MIAA all-conference teams in 2010. The following year, he was lauded as a collegesoccer360.com Primetime Performer.

With as many as 24 players expected back from last year's roster, six of which were regular starters, the new leader of the Jacket men's team is confident that 2014 will continue the program's recent upswing.

"I am very excited for my first head coaching position. Waynesburg presents a fantastic opportunity for me as a head coach," Brad Heethuis said. "The men's program had a solid year last year and with a large number of players returning, I have high expectations for what this team can accomplish."

Laura, a United States Soccer Federation National D Licensed Soccer Coach, has held two volunteer assistant positions in the Division I ranks at the University of Miami and, most recently, her alma mater, Michigan State University.

As a student-athlete at MSU from 2008 to 2011, Laura earned a number of Big Ten and national accolades including being a four-time first-team all-conference award winner, a three-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Adidas All-American, a four-time NSCAA/Adidas first-team All-Great Lakes Region pick and a member of the United States Under-23 Women's National Team for all four years.
 
She also took home "Freshman of the Year" honors on both regional and national levels.

Laura was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology specializing in health promotions, and garnered recognition for her academic excellence on multiple occasions. She was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a first-team member of the 2011 Capital One Academic All-American Team.

She was drafted 19th overall in the 2012 Women's Professional Soccer League draft by Sky Blue FC, which is based in Morristown, New Jersey. That same year, she won the WPSL Elite championship with the Western New York Flash. Later, she was drafted 18th overall by Seattle Reign FC in the 2013 National Women's Soccer Supplemental Draft.

Despite all of her accomplishments in the sport, the newest leader of the women's program is grateful to Waynesburg for her first head coaching opportunity.

"I am very honored to be the head coach of the Waynesburg Women's Soccer Program," Laura Heethuis said. "I would like to thank President Lee and Larry Marshall for giving me the opportunity to lead this program. I genuinely believe in the values that Waynesburg offers each of its students-athletes in the classroom, on the playing field and in their personal faith journey."

Both coaches inherit programs that have been on the rise over recent years. The Yellow Jacket men are coming off a 10-4-3 overall record in 2013 with a 3-3-2 mark in PAC action. The Waynesburg women were 8-8-1 in 2013 and just missed out on a third-straight trip to the conference tournament after going 5-3-1 in PAC play. They are 32-22-3 over those three seasons.

"Brad and Laura's strong commitment to faith and impressive achievements in their careers make them an excellent fit for the University community," President Lee said.