US Youth Soccer announced the regional winners of the 2012 US Youth Soccer Boys and Girls Competitive Coach of the Year awards. The Competitive Coach of the Year is awarded to a competitive coach for both a boy’s team and a girl’s team for his or her coaching activities, sportsmanship, player development, personal coaching development and citizenship. Coach Ferguson won for coaching accomplishments in Region II Girls soccer.
Patrick Ferguson lets his players know that each individual can have an impact on the game. He is adept at putting his Ohio Galaxies FC players in positions to succeed and work well together, leading to positive results. His teams have made multiple US Youth Soccer Ohio South State Cup finals and semifinals, and he also is the current coach at Wright State University, where he was named 2009 Horizon League Coach of the Year.
In an interview with Nancy Shields, President of the Ohio Galaxies, Shields stated that “Pat Ferguson has been instrumental in the development of our Ohio Galaxies FC girls program and his recognition as USYSA Region II girl’s competitive coach of the year is well deserved. His aim in coaching is to promote an enjoyable playing and learning experience for aspiring female athletes that prepare them to utilize their skills with the composure and competitive mindset necessary to succeed at the highest level to which they aspire. As an organization, we congratulate him on this award and wish him all the best”. Ohio Galaxies club directors offer “Coach Ferguson does a thorough analysis of his players throughout their season and playing career. He encourages them to make the best use of their strongest attributes and to emphasize their strengths in their play on the field. His training sessions are lively and animated. Each training session incorporates both technical and tactical aspects of the game and the players are encouraged to use problem solving skills to work out tactical solutions to varying styles of play”.
Pat Ferguson coaching acumen includes:
- Director of Girls Player Development for Ohio Galaxies FC
- Head women’s soccer coach – Wright State University
- USSF B license
- NSCAA Premier Diploma
- Former head coach - Campbell University
- Former head coach - Mt. Union College
- Former head coach - Malone College
- Former assistant men's coach - Malone College
- Ohio North ODP State Staff
- Ohio South ODP State Staff
- Collegiate playing experience - Malone College
The National Boys and Girls Competitive Coach of the Year, in which Coach Ferguson has been nominated, will be announced at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala on Friday, Jan. 18, at 7:30 p.m., as part of the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Indianapolis, held in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention.