Capital's Kouns Named a Candidate for NSCAA Coach of the Year
The Capital University women's soccer team has earned yet another honor this season, having head coach Chris Kouns named to the list of the final ten candidates nominated for NSCAA Coach of the Year.
Eight different regions are represented on the list of the final ten potential award winners, as Kouns was added as the second representative of the Great Lakes Region alongside the head coach of Thomas More (Ky.) College.
"Being included in this list confirms the hard work that our players and coaches, who share in the preparation of our team, were willing to put in this year," Kouns said.
Kouns, in his third year at the helm, has helped the Crusaders notch the best season in program history this year.
Following a 1-0 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Nov. 17 in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, the team's win total at the time (18) was the best in program history, trumping the previous record (17) set back in 1998.
In addition, Kouns has led the Crusaders to their first-ever NCAA Tournament semifinals appearance, while sporting a record of 19-4-2 so far for their 2013 campaign.
"We may not be the flashy team with the unbelievable record that everyone notices," Kouns said. "But, we are the blue collar, workmanlike team that focuses on striving for excellence as a unit."
Kouns went on to mention how individual awards are not his angle when it comes to having success as a head coach, but they do attest to the individual efforts that make up an entire team.
"I have never been a big believer in individual awards for individual sakes," Kouns said. "But, I am a firm believer in individuals getting noticed because of the efforts of those around them, and I am proud that is the case here."
That case is indeed a strong one, as this year Capital has defeated three teams whose coaches are also nominated (Thomas More, Washington (Mo.) and Wisconsin-Whitewater), will face another in William Smith (N.Y.) on Friday and could potentially face another in the national championship.
However the Crusaders' season may end, it has truly been one for the record books and one to build on for years to come.
"I am very proud of the culture we are establishing here at Capital," Kouns said. "Our team's culture values the process necessary for maximizing your potential and that is not always appreciated because there are peaks and valleys in every process."
Voting by members of the NSCAA for the Coach of the Year award ends on Dec. 9.
