Graduate Assistant - Women's Soccer Coach

• ‌ This is an unpaid Graduate Assistantship position and will include a living stipend.
• Responsible to the Head Coach and Vice President for Athletics to promote, enhance, and oversee the women’s soccer program while maintaining compliance with all ACU, WAC, and NCAA Division I rules and regulations.
• Promote and support the university's mission and vision within their sport's program, coaching staff, and student-athletes.
• Responsible for the oversight of the academic, athletic, and spiritual development of student-athletes.
• I.
• Basic Responsibilities A.
• Recruitment of student-athletes who are athletically, academically, and spiritually compatible with the ACU mission.
• B.
• Organization and administration of aspects related to managing a Division I soccer program.
• Including but not limited to program administration, team budget, NCAA compliance, academics, etc.
• C.
• Provide student-athletes with holistic opportunities for athletic, academic, professional and spiritual development.
• D.
• Assist in fundraising and alumni relations.
• E.
• Monitor technology devices and video services.
• F.
• Other duties as assigned per the Head Coach and the Vice President for Athletics.
• II.
• Essential Duties include the following.
• Other duties may be assigned.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
• A.
• Recruitment of student-athletes who are athletically, academically, and spiritually compatible with the ACU mission 1.
• Recruit student-athletes who have the athletic ability to compete at the NCAA DI level.
• Evaluate prospect’s fundamental skills and athletic talent.
• 2.
• Personally interview each prospective student-athlete in order to evaluate character, personal motivation, work ethic, etc.
• Prospects must have morals compatible with ACU’s mission.
• Interview coaches, family members, and friends of prospective student-athletes.
• 3.
• Evaluate academic success of prospective student-athletes by reviewing grades and national test scores.
• B.
• Organization and administration of aspects related to managing a Division I soccer program.
• Including but not limited to program administration, team budget, NCAA compliance, academics, etc.
• 1.
• Be a good steward of financial resources and assist with remaining on budget.
• 2.
• Maintain understanding and compliance of NCAA, WAC, and university rules, regulations, and policy.
• 3.
• Assist with scheduling and troubleshooting of academic and degree progress issues.
• C.
• Provide student-athletes with holistic opportunities for athletic, academic, professional, and spiritual development.
• 1.
• Develop a comprehensive plan to ensure our student-athletes are able to compete at the highest Division I level.
• Including but not limited to strength and conditioning, position-specific instruction, game planning, etc.
• 2.
• Monitor academic progress of student-athletes to ensure eligibility, APR, and graduation standards are being met.
• 3.
• Encourage open communication between student-athletes and coaches.
• Provide many opportunities for spiritual growth, i.e. devotionals, mentoring program, application of biblical principles in midst of competition (life principles).
• D.
• Assist in fundraising and alumni relations.
• 1.
• Help identify individuals interested in soccer and/or have a relationship with the coach and a willingness to provide funds for the program.
• 2.
• Establish relationships with key donors and maintain contact with donors through regular updates and information about the program.
• 3.
• Responsible for promoting ACU Athletics and soccer program via media relations requests, i.e. broadcasting coaches shows, interviews, and public relations opportunities.
• E.
• Other duties as assigned per the Head Coach and the Vice President for Athletics.
• III.
• Professional Development Requirements: A.
• Skills 1.
• Extensive knowledge of the game of soccer and the ability to teach and motivate student-athletes to perform at the highest level with integrity and ethics.
• 2.
• Communication skills: ability to effectively communicate with a diverse group of people 3.
• Organization skills: ability to handle specific details of each event, budget, trip, meeting, etc.
• 4.
• Proper time management: ability to meet deadlines.
• B.
• Training Required 1.
• Attend sport-related clinics, coaching clinics, and workshops.
• 2.
• View film on soccer development and practice organization.
• 3.
• Study materials on improving communication skills, motivational skills, and coaching techniques 4.
• Attend promotional and administrator seminars.
• IV.

Qualifications

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and be an active, faithful member of a local congregation. A. Professional 1. Bachelor's degree required. 2. Soccer sport mastery, motivational skills, and communication skills. 3. Ethics and integrity to work within rules of the NCAA and WAC. 4. Collegiate soccer playing and/or coaching experience B. Personal 1. Morals, ethics, and loyalty to the University and ACU Mission. 2. Be a positive role model in daily life and actions. C. Physical Demands 1. Demonstrate physical skills at soccer training. 2. Be in good cardiovascular condition to endure long hours of the work day as well as outdoor elements during practice and competition. 3. Maintain healthy lifestyle. ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law. ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions. As a current employee, it will be determined if you need an additional background check upon your hire. Abilene Christian University is the premier university for the education of Christ-centered, global leaders, offering an exceptional education to about 6,700 students annually from 51 states and territories, and 42 nations. This private, comprehensive university, founded in 1906 in Abilene, Texas, offers 88 baccalaureate majors that include more than 175 areas of study, 77 areas of study in master’s degree and specialist programs, and five doctoral programs. It has been ranked as one of the top institutions in the nation for undergraduate research, undergraduate teaching, first-year experiences, service learning, study abroad and learning communities. ACU’s mission is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. ACU Dallas, a branch campus in Addison, Texas, is the home of the university’s online undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Questions? Contact Human Resources at humanresources@acu.edu or call 325-674-2359.