PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The aftermath from a record-breaking season from the Ashford University men's soccer team continued to extend through the offseason as first-year Head Coach Richard Markham reeled in a prestigious honor earlier this week.
Selected by his peers, Markham was voted the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Coach of the Year for the Midwest region in NAIA competition among a pool of over 70 potential contestants.
Regional Coaches of the Year are finalists for the NSCAA/Mondo National Coach of the Year at their respective levels.
Markham, the reigning Midwest Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year, plans to attend the awards ceremony in Philadelphia at the Grand Marriott as part of the 2010 NSCAA Convention on Friday, Jan. 15.
"It has been collaborative team effort all season long and it feels really good to be recognized by my peers," Markham said. "Individually, this honor is great, but we're in it together for the betterment of the men's soccer program at Ashford."
Markham navigated the Saints through an undefeated regular season that culminated with a regular-season and tournament conference crown. AU made its first ever trip to the NAIA National Tournament and hosted first-round action on the campus of Augustana College.
The Saints have laid claim to an NAIA All-American, MCC Newcomer of the Year and six All-MCC selections from the fall.
National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Mondo Coaches of the YearNAIA Men
East, David Gregson, Embry-Riddle University
Mideast, Martin Neuhoff, Indiana Institute of Technology
Midwest, Richard Markham, Ashford University
Central, Chris Kranjc, Hastings College
Northwest, Alan Koch, Simon Fraser
South, Ray Wells, Lindsey Wilson College
Southwest, Jimmy Hampton, Univ. of Science and Arts of Okla.
West, Jim Rickard, The Master's College
