Team unity will be key for BPC women's soccer

By Bill Glass
BPC Public Relations

MOUNT VERNON -- The Brewton-Parker College women's soccer team begins the 2003 season with its third coach in as many years, but is one that new coach Bill Glass hopes will provide a solid foundation for building what will result in a return to successes for the Lady Barons.

Glass and the Lady Barons have been training hard the past two weeks in preparation for their season opener, a Georgia-Alabama-Carolina Conference match against Reinhardt College on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the BPC field beginning at 2 p.m.

Glass considers himself blessed to have a cadre of returning players, including two dangerous sophomore forwards in Brandi Culpepper of Virginia Beach, Va., and Avianne Tobias of Comana Village, Trinidad and Tobago.

Also, returning are speedy midfielders in senior Anna Fry of Baldwin, sophomore Ashley Meyer of Alma, Ontario, and sophomore Karen Taylor of Stoney Creek, Ontario, who sat out last season with a knee injury.

Kelly Mosely, a junior from Appling who sat out last season, and senior Kendra Sewell of Canton also return as reliable defenders, Glass said.

Goalkeeper duties will be handled by returning standout goalkeeper Michelle McRaven of Brunswick.

Glass indicates that he will build his game plans around this group. "We are looking to the returning players to provide team leadership and thus far in training that is exactly what is happening," he said.

The Brewton-Parker women's soccer program has an impressive legacy with several conference title trophies in its showcase, along with hardware received as a result of sterling performances in the NAIA regional and national tournaments.

"There is absolutely no reason why we can't again reach those heights," Glass said, "but first we have to establish continuity. With three changeovers in the women's soccer head coaching position in the last three years, recruiting has suffered."

Steve Barker, Brewton-Parker's athletic director, said he likes the prospects of the program's future with Glass at the helm.

"Our women's basketball, softball and volleyball programs are all on a roll right now, and we have nationally ranked men's baseball, basketball, and soccer teams," Barker said.

"BPC is an excellent, small, Southern college with great programs in business, education, math, sciences and music that for nearly 100 years has dedicated itself to helping students progress not just academically but spiritually. When prospective student-athletes learn that we are a Christian college closely affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, many of them want to know more and become sold on BPC after visiting the campus, talking with faculty members and meeting with current student-athletes."

As the Lady Barons' new coach, Glass will be responsible for getting the word out about Brewton-Parker to regional, national and international women's soccer players who want to receive their education in a Christian environment.

Glass also brings to Brewton-Parker a longtime career in consumer marketing, market research and organizational development. His experiences in those fields will help in his other duty at BPC as the assistant director of public relations.

Glass brings a solid background of coaching in the Georgia Youth Soccer Association and holds a D-level coaching license. His travel teams have a history of placing first and winning Georgia Youth Soccer Association state championships and he has coached at one of the Georgia's premier soccer clubs - United Quest.

In recent years, Glass has devoted his attention to raising the level of competitiveness of YMCA soccer while finding time to volunteer teaching soccer to handicapped children in the TOPS soccer program. His Under-17 club team, the East Cobb Rangers, finished first in the state for their division in 2002 and tied for first in the division in 2001.

Glass recently completed the YMCA Advanced Soccer Coaching Course, a strenuous three-week training program modeled on the UEFA-B course.

For now, his focus over the next several months will be the 2003 soccer season.

"The Lord has brought us a strong and determined group of women to play this year," he said. "We have tremendous team spirit and I am confident that our unity and sprit will only get stronger as the season progresses."

-BPC-