Carey named CCAA Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year
Sean Carey of the Lethbridge Kodiaks is the 2019 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year.
Carey received the award during the All-Canadian Banquet at the 2019 CCAA Men’s Soccer National Championship, hosted by Durham College in Oshawa, ON.
“Sean has proven to be quite impactful to the soccer community in Southern Alberta and across the Lethbridge campus,” said Wade Kolmel, CCAA Men’s Soccer Convenor. “We are all very proud and amazed by the culture and commitment to improvement Sean has brought to the Kodiaks program.”
Carey is a leader amongst his peers and an advocate of varsity soccer, according to Kolmel.
“The students at Lethbridge are reaping the rewards of having a coach so involved and personally engaged in their all-round success,” he said.
Carey, who coaches both the Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams at Lethbridge guided the men’s squad to an 8-1-3 record and second-place finish in the ACAC South Division. The team allowed only seven goals against during the regular season – down significantly from 20 a year ago.
At the ACAC Championships, the Kodiaks went on to eliminate the undefeated NAIT Ooks in the semi-finals before downing the Red Deer Kings in the final to capture their first ever provincial title and qualify for CCAA Nationals.
The goal of the program at Lethbridge is to live up to the ‘3 Pillars of Success’ – Academic Accountability, Athletic Excellence and The Student-Athlete Experience. Carey works toward this by providing a fun environment where student-athletes can thrive both on and off the field.
“The leadership team that Sean has put together to lead both programs is an incredible coaching team and I know that recognition of this type doesn’t happen without the commitment that this group has,” said Todd Caughlin, Manager of Kodiaks Athletics. “The college is proud of what he has accomplished and hopefully there is more to come.”
Carey is also President of the Vulcan Soccer Association.
Other nominees for the CCAA Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year award were Larry Stefanek of the VIU Mariners (Pacific Western Athletic Association), Patrice Gheisar of the Seneca Sting (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association), François Bourgeais of the Indiens d’Ahuntsic (Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec) and David Vicente of the UNB Saint John Seawolves (Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association).
CCAA Coach of the Year winners receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA National Championship Awards Banquet.
