Pepperdine women’s soccer coaching staff has been named West Region Staff of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Head coach Tim Ward, associate head coach Max Rooke, assistant coach Ariana Martinez, volunteer assistant Cody Thompson, athletic trainer Tamesha Jefferson, and strength and conditioning coach Bri Holder will accept their honors at the College Coaches Awards Reception held at the 2017 NSCAA Convention in Los Angeles on Jan. 12.
Collectively, the staff led the Waves team this season to its ninth NCAA Tournament appearance, where they made it to the second round for the sixth time in program history. The Waves also picked up the third West Coast Conference Championship in program history, and finished 12-5-4 overall and 7-1-1 in conference play.
Ward, who has been at the helm for the Waves for 19 seasons, leading Waves women’s soccer to all nine of its NCAA Tournament appearances and all three of the conference titles, expressed his gratitude for the honor.
“I am so excited and grateful that our staff was recognized by the other coaches in the West Region of the NSCAA for our work this year,” said Ward in a statement provided to The Malibu Times. “It is incredibly humbling considering this is an award voted on by one’s peers. It also allows me to shine the light on the great work of my staff.”