SAIT's Brady is the 2023 CCAA Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year

Connor Brady of the SAIT Trojans has been named the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Soccer Coach of the Year.

Brady was honoured at the 2023 CCAA Men's Soccer National Championship, hosted by St. Clair College.

Brady guided SAIT to an impressive 9-1-0 record this season, securing their spot as the top-seeded team in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference's (ACAC) South Division. His team executed outstanding performances, scoring an impressive 49 goals while conceding only three. Despite losing several key players the Trojans maintained a high level of success after finishing fourth at the CCAA Championship last season.

"Coach Brady embraces challenges and has been instrumental to the success of the Trojans in the ACAC and CCAA," said David Munro, CCAA Men's Soccer Convenor. "He creates a family atmosphere while ensuring players commit to their academics and he encourages them to participate in other Trojan and community activities."

Brady looks at a student-athlete as a whole person and is dedicated to building them up to be contributing members of society. He opens his home to his team, providing a family atmosphere for those that are attending SAIT from beyond Calgary. Brady also organizes team events outside of soccer to keep the athletes together when they have breaks from the field.

"Connor is passionate, experienced & dedicated and has created a culture of excellence within his team," said Lauren Kucera, SAIT Manager Athletics & Recreation.  "Connor has built a successful program at SAIT that has challenged the best in the country year after year and continues to produce outstanding soccer players and successful young adults." 

Brady was named the 2023-24 ACAC South Division Men's Soccer Coach of the Year, the second time he has earned the accolade in three seasons. He was also previously named the ACAC North Division Coach of the Year in 2014-15 and 2016-17, making him the only coach to earn the Conference's top honour four times. Beyond his work with the Trojans, Brady is also contracted with Cavalry FC in Calgary, working with their U23 development team.

The CCAA Men's Soccer Coach of the Year recipient receives a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA.

Other nominees for the CCAA Men's Soccer Coach of the Year award were Marc Rizzardo of the Langara Falcons (Pacific Western Athletic Association), Giovanni Benitez Friesen of the Providence Pilots (Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference), John Williams of the George Brown Huskies (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association), Pedro Fernando Tojo of the Aigles du Collège Ahuntsic (Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec) and John-Ryan Morrison of the St. Thomas Tommies (Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association).

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