Pacific's Brazeau Continues Role With Portland Timbers As Alumni Ambassador
FOREST GROVE – When the Portland Timbers take to Jeld-Wen Field for their long awaited first home Major League Soccer match Thursday night, Jim Brazeau will have more than a passing interest.
The Pacific men's soccer coach will not only be on hand with 20,000 other rapid soccer fans, but will also be involved as one of five alumni ambassadors selected to help the team in community outreach efforts during the 2011 season. The Timbers will play the Chicago Fire on Thursday in their first home match as part of the top division of soccer in the United States.
While Brazeau will have no official duties with the opener, he will be in attendance to witness a part of history that he had a small part in building. "I will be out supporting the team and the players," he said. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to help however possible. It's a very exciting time for soccer in Portland."
Brazeau, who just finished as 10th season leading the Pacific men's soccer program, was involved with the Timbers for nearly as long. He served as the goalkeepers coach for the Timbers for eight seasons (2001-05 and 2007-09), serving under both original USL coach Bobby Howe and current Timbers technical director Gavin Wilkinson. During his tenure, Brazeau helped coach Josh Wicks to honors as the 2007 First Division Goalkeeper of the Year and also coached Steve Cronin and Matt Napoleon to All-First Division honors.
It was the success of those USL teams that paved the way for the Timbers' leadership to land a MLS franchise in 2009. The team played it's first MLS game on Mar. 19 in a 3-1 loss to the defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids.
Brazeau was the only former coach chosen as part of the alumni ambassador program, joining three former players from the club's North American Soccer League and USL First Division days. Other members of the ambassador group include current Warner Pacific head coach Bernie Fagan, fellow NASL Timbers John Bain and Mick Hoban and former USL First Division player Lee Morrison. All five will work with former standout defender Scot Thompson, who was named as the club's official community ambassador in January.
As alumni ambassadors, the group will represent the team at various community appearances, events and speaking engagements. In addition, the ambassadors will occasionally assist with Timbers youth camps and clinic, including a residential soccer academy that will be held at Pacific University in July.
Brazeau's involvement with the group was a logical fit, according to Timbers Chief Operating Officer Mike Golub. "Jim is a respected member of the Portland soccer community and his involvement during the Timbers' USL era really helped the organization grow to where it is now," Golub said.
The feeling was mutual with Brazeau. "I want to support the team in any way possible," said Brazeau, who was a professional indoor soccer player himself for six seasons. "The Timbers have been great to me over the last 10 years. I am honored that they felt highly enough of me that they asked me to be involved again."
Brazeau's participation as an alumni ambassador continues a link between the Timbers and Pacific that has lasted three decades. Original Timber Jimmy Conway was Pacific's men's soccer coach from 1983 to 1987 and coached with Brazeau with the USL Timbers from 2001 to 2005. Current Timbers U-23 head coach Jim Rilatt served as a Pacific assistant coach for three season. In addition, 2006 Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year Matt McDonough received an invitation-only tryout with the Timbers and was an invitee to the team's 2007 training camp.
Meanwhile, Brazeau hopes to use the link to continue to build on the success that his Pacific teams have seen over his decade with the program. Brazeau coached the 2010 Boxers to a Northwest Conference championship, their first in 14 years, and the team's second ever trip to the NCAA Division III playoff. He mentored goalkeeper Andrew Stevermer to two NWC Defensive Player of the Year awards. In his career, Brazeau has coached 14 First Team All-NWC players and has seen the Boxers post an undefeated record at Lincoln Park Stadium over the last two seasons.
In addition to his Pacific duties, Brazeau is the director of coaching for the Willamette United Soccer Club.
