Averett names Chapman as women's soccer head coach
DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University's Director of Athletics Meg Stevens is pleased to announce that Sarah Chapman is the new women's soccer head coach. Chapman most recently served as an assistant women's soccer coach at Stony Brook University after enjoying a stellar playing career at the University of Florida.
Chapman becomes the eighth coach of the Averett women's soccer program since it began play in 1993. She takes over a program that has a recent history of success, including a USA South Conference championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2012, along with two USA South Player of the Year selections and one Capital One Academic All-American over the last four seasons.
"I am honored and very excited to be named the women's soccer head coach at Averett University," Chapman said. "Averett represents many of the same values that I embrace both as a coach and as a person. I am ready to step right into the position with my passion, energy and knowledge of the game. I would really like to thank Meg Stevens for giving me this opportunity and for believing in me as a coach."
Chapman comes to Averett from Stony Brook, where she served as an assistant for one season. Prior to that, she was the U-17 girls' soccer assistant coach for two years at the Shattuck-St. Mary's Soccer Center of Excellence, one of the top soccer development academies in the country. She also gained valuable coaching experience working the University of Florida soccer camps from 2008-12, serving as assistant camp director in 2012. She also served as a student-assistant coach for the Gators and worked as the head coach of a U-15 girls' State Cup club in Florida. She has received her NSCAA National and Advanced National Diplomas in coaching.
"Sarah is the perfect fit at the perfect time for Averett women's soccer, the athletics department and Averett University," Stevens said. "She brings passion, energy, enthusiasm and an incredible soccer background. She understands the importance of the total student-athlete experience, and her values parallel the Division III philosophy and Averett Athletics' 3-2-1 vision. We believe she can take our already established program to the next level."
During her four-year playing career at Florida, the Gators won the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship three times, won the SEC Tournament in 2010 and appeared in the NCAA Tournament all four seasons. Chapman was named to the Soccer America National Team of the Week and was also voted SEC Freshman of the Week as a player.
Prior to her time at Florida, Chapman was a highly-touted prep star out of Silver Spring, Maryland, where she earned all-conference, all-state and Parade All-American accolades at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. She was also a member of the Bethesda Extreme Soccer Club and Freestate Shooters, where she won Maryland State Tournament and State Cup titles. Chapman also competed for the Maryland State ODP team and Region I team, winning regional championships as well as a national championship in 2006. In addition, she gained experience with the U.S. national team as a member of the U-16 and U-18 national team player pool, and she represented the U-16 national team in Holland for three matches during the spring of 2006.
"Her passion, desire and enthusiasm for the game will be contagious with our young women," Averett President Dr. Tiffany Franks said. "I'm thrilled she is now a member of our Averett family."
