February 2, 2011
"Having played a role in turning around Bethany's men's soccer program and with his experience at other liberal arts colleges, Pete is a very good fit and will be able to recruit the type of quality student-athletes who can succeed on the field and in the classroom at a small college of national distinction like Bethany," said Weaver.
This past fall, Parikakis was an assistant for the Bison men's program. He helped Bethany rebound from a two-win campaign in 2009 to 11 victories this past fall, a berth in the PAC Tournament Championship match and a bid to the ECAC Tournament, where the Bison stunned the #1 seed Penn State Behrend in the opening round and reached the semifinals. Receiving the opportunity to take the reins to the women's program fulfills a long-time goal for the Follansbee, W.Va., native.
"I would like to thank President Miller, Coach Weaver, and Coach (Jan) Forsty for giving me the tremendous opportunity to be the next head women's soccer coach at Bethany College," said Parikakis. "I feel that this is a "homecoming" for me since I am originally from the area. Growing up, Bethany College was the place you went to school if you were a soccer player. And now, being a Bison is a long time dream which has finally come true. I plan to re-establish traditions and expectations here on the women's side and I'm very eager to get to work and start writing the next chapter in Bethany Women's Soccer."
The program Parikakis takes over is improving, but has failed to qualify for the PAC tournament in recent years. In 2007, the Bison won only three games, but in the last three seasons, BC has won 24 matches and is coming off back-to-back .500 seasons for only the second time in the 24-year history of the program. Bethany completed the 2010 campaign with an 8-8-2 record and a 3-4-1 mark in the PAC. Looking ahead to next season, 10 players return who started at least 11 matches this past year, including First Team All-PAC selection Cassie Spalding (Claysville, Pa./McGuffey), who led the conference in scoring for the second straight year with 19 goals and 42 points.
"With next year's team, we have a great number of returners who have a significant amount of experience," said Parikakis. "We lose an outstanding player in Lisa Wabrick (three-time All-PAC selection), who will be very difficult to replace, but the loss will be more manageable with such a senior-laden roster, as well as assistant coach Maggie Kuhn, who has been with the program for many years. I am really hoping that the seniors take a leadership role and guide by example, both on the field and in the classroom.
"One area that I would like to see us strengthen is our intensity and our tenacity," said Parikakis. "I feel that combining with the returners with a great recruiting class, we will be able to get over the hump and make a push for the playoffs and our goal of the competing for a PAC Championship."
In looking for the right student-athlete to join the Bethany women's soccer program, Parikakis said a player's on-field ability will be considered, as will their willingness to work well with their teammates and set and achieve high goals in the classroom.
"When recruiting student-athletes, Maggie and I first and foremost look for character," said Parikakis. "We obviously look for players that have tremendous ability, but we are also interested in their character. We want student-athletes that are willing to work hard, both on the field and in the classroom, as well as players that are willing to put the team before any individual accolades. I am firm believer in the family concept. As a team comes together, you will respect and fight for that teammate as you would your own family member. I truly want this team to become a family and as such, to have success working together."
Parikakis brought a vast amount of coaching experience to Bethany, with his most recent stop before Bethany being a three-year stint as the head women's coach at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia. During his tenure, Mary Baldwin qualified for the USA South Conference postseason tournament in his first season, the program was recognized with the league's Team Sportsmanship Award all three years and four players were recognized with all-conference awards.
Before taking over at Mary Baldwin, Parikakis served as a men's and women's assistant for one year at Iowa Central Community College, where he assisted in coaching a total of 10 All-Conference selections and three NJCAA All-Americans between the two programs. Prior to that, while working towards his Masters degree from West Virginia University, Parikakis interned with the Mountaineers' nationally-ranked women's program. His coaching career began as an assistant at his alma mater Waynesburg from 2001-04.
A member of the both the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), Parikakis has earned three diplomas from the NSCAA, with the most recent being the Advanced National Diploma in 2007. He also earned his C License from the USSF in 2010.
Before taking to the sideline as a coach, Parikakis had a decorated playing career, as he was a four-year starter at center midfielder for Waynesburg. In addition to being a two-time captain, he earned All-PAC recognition as a junior and again as a senior after leading the Yellow Jackets to their first winning season in school history. During his high school career at nearby Brooke, Parikakis was a member of the 1994 Bruins team which finished as the state runner-up.
Parikakis earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Waynesburg in 2001 and earned a Masters of Science in Athletic Coaching from WVU in 2006. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Bethany.
Bethany Names Peter Parikakis New Women's Soccer Coach
Former Mary Baldwin College women's soccer coach Peter Parikakis has been selected as the new head women's soccer coach at Bethany College, according to Director of Athletics Tim Weaver.
According to Weaver, Parikakis' familiarity with Bethany, as well as his extensive coaching background and energy, made him a great fit for the position. "We are very happy to have someone with Pete's background and passion for the sport to take over our women's soccer program," said Weaver. "Pete has very high personal standards when it comes to ethics and character, which was a top priority in our search. We believe Pete will be able to produce a team that qualifies for the PAC tournament and ultimately turn it into a top program in the PAC and the region.
"Having played a role in turning around Bethany's men's soccer program and with his experience at other liberal arts colleges, Pete is a very good fit and will be able to recruit the type of quality student-athletes who can succeed on the field and in the classroom at a small college of national distinction like Bethany," said Weaver.
This past fall, Parikakis was an assistant for the Bison men's program. He helped Bethany rebound from a two-win campaign in 2009 to 11 victories this past fall, a berth in the PAC Tournament Championship match and a bid to the ECAC Tournament, where the Bison stunned the #1 seed Penn State Behrend in the opening round and reached the semifinals. Receiving the opportunity to take the reins to the women's program fulfills a long-time goal for the Follansbee, W.Va., native.
"I would like to thank President Miller, Coach Weaver, and Coach (Jan) Forsty for giving me the tremendous opportunity to be the next head women's soccer coach at Bethany College," said Parikakis. "I feel that this is a "homecoming" for me since I am originally from the area. Growing up, Bethany College was the place you went to school if you were a soccer player. And now, being a Bison is a long time dream which has finally come true. I plan to re-establish traditions and expectations here on the women's side and I'm very eager to get to work and start writing the next chapter in Bethany Women's Soccer."
The program Parikakis takes over is improving, but has failed to qualify for the PAC tournament in recent years. In 2007, the Bison won only three games, but in the last three seasons, BC has won 24 matches and is coming off back-to-back .500 seasons for only the second time in the 24-year history of the program. Bethany completed the 2010 campaign with an 8-8-2 record and a 3-4-1 mark in the PAC. Looking ahead to next season, 10 players return who started at least 11 matches this past year, including First Team All-PAC selection Cassie Spalding (Claysville, Pa./McGuffey), who led the conference in scoring for the second straight year with 19 goals and 42 points.
"With next year's team, we have a great number of returners who have a significant amount of experience," said Parikakis. "We lose an outstanding player in Lisa Wabrick (three-time All-PAC selection), who will be very difficult to replace, but the loss will be more manageable with such a senior-laden roster, as well as assistant coach Maggie Kuhn, who has been with the program for many years. I am really hoping that the seniors take a leadership role and guide by example, both on the field and in the classroom.
"One area that I would like to see us strengthen is our intensity and our tenacity," said Parikakis. "I feel that combining with the returners with a great recruiting class, we will be able to get over the hump and make a push for the playoffs and our goal of the competing for a PAC Championship."
In looking for the right student-athlete to join the Bethany women's soccer program, Parikakis said a player's on-field ability will be considered, as will their willingness to work well with their teammates and set and achieve high goals in the classroom.
"When recruiting student-athletes, Maggie and I first and foremost look for character," said Parikakis. "We obviously look for players that have tremendous ability, but we are also interested in their character. We want student-athletes that are willing to work hard, both on the field and in the classroom, as well as players that are willing to put the team before any individual accolades. I am firm believer in the family concept. As a team comes together, you will respect and fight for that teammate as you would your own family member. I truly want this team to become a family and as such, to have success working together."
Parikakis brought a vast amount of coaching experience to Bethany, with his most recent stop before Bethany being a three-year stint as the head women's coach at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia. During his tenure, Mary Baldwin qualified for the USA South Conference postseason tournament in his first season, the program was recognized with the league's Team Sportsmanship Award all three years and four players were recognized with all-conference awards.
Before taking over at Mary Baldwin, Parikakis served as a men's and women's assistant for one year at Iowa Central Community College, where he assisted in coaching a total of 10 All-Conference selections and three NJCAA All-Americans between the two programs. Prior to that, while working towards his Masters degree from West Virginia University, Parikakis interned with the Mountaineers' nationally-ranked women's program. His coaching career began as an assistant at his alma mater Waynesburg from 2001-04.
A member of the both the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), Parikakis has earned three diplomas from the NSCAA, with the most recent being the Advanced National Diploma in 2007. He also earned his C License from the USSF in 2010.
Before taking to the sideline as a coach, Parikakis had a decorated playing career, as he was a four-year starter at center midfielder for Waynesburg. In addition to being a two-time captain, he earned All-PAC recognition as a junior and again as a senior after leading the Yellow Jackets to their first winning season in school history. During his high school career at nearby Brooke, Parikakis was a member of the 1994 Bruins team which finished as the state runner-up.
Parikakis earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Waynesburg in 2001 and earned a Masters of Science in Athletic Coaching from WVU in 2006. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Bethany.
