Head Women's Soccer Coach Prospectus

Women’s Soccer has been the premier program for Prairie Fire Athletics with a 59-17-8 overall record since 2015. Over the last four seasons, the team is 29-4-4 in Midwest Conference play and qualified for all four Midwest Conference Tournaments, winning both regular season and tournament championships in each of the last three years. Recruiting nationally, the team consists of student-athletes from all over the country that have won five major conference awards, over 20 all-conference awards, and numerous all-region honors during this span. Coming off three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, Knox College women’s soccer is poised to move to the top of the north region standings and gain national recognition. Additionally, 2018 was the first season for the Prairie Fire soccer teams competing on new, soccer-dedicated synthetic turf as Prats Field has been transformed into one of the best Division III soccer facilities in the region. Phase two of Prats Field renovations are scheduled to begin over the next 12 to 24 months which will include lights, wind screens, and other amenities.

Knox College, a member of the Midwest Conference and NCAA Division III, is a vibrant community of scholar-teachers and students with a tradition of free inquiry, independent thought, and diverse perspectives. Competition in the Midwest Conference is intense and spirited, including the local rivalry between Knox and Monmouth College—the sixth-oldest athletic rivalry in the country.

That’s only part of the story, however. Knox College is also one of the 50 most diverse campuses in America. Founded by abolitionists in 1837, the College was among the first in the nation to admit women and students of color and has a historic commitment to keeping a high-quality education accessible to all students, regardless of financial means. The New York Times ranked Knox #16 on its 2017 College Access Index in recognition of its commitment to low- and middle-income students and its role as an engine of upward mobility. Forbes has included Knox in its annual Grateful Grads rankings for the last six years running. And, recently, U.S. News & World Report listed Knox among the top 50 U.S. colleges for “best undergraduate teaching.”

Knox athletes are student-athletes with a focus on achievement in the classroom, on the court or playing field and as community leaders. Institutional support for enhancing intercollegiate athletics is strong and the K Club booster organization has been active for eight years with a significant upward trajectory both in engagement and dollars raised. This past year, the booster club surpassed $500,000 in gifts and more than 1,000 donors. The club made possible a state-of-the-art golf performance center and converted the College’s grass soccer field to a high-grade synthetic turf. More recently, the athletics department has increased its social media presence, facilitated increased branding of the Prairie Fire facilities and completed a website redesign to capitalize on the department’s increased online audience.

Responsibilities
The Head Coach is responsible for all aspects of the Knox College Women’s Soccer program including but not limited to executing a successful recruiting and retention plan; integrating the program into the campus community; scheduling, planning, and supervising practices and contests; team travel; managing the program operating budget; fundraising; administering all aspects of the program ensuring compliance with departmental, institutional, Midwest Conference (MWC) and NCAA rules and regulations; participate in alumni and booster engagement including promotion of program on social media platforms; additional coaching and administrative duties as assigned. Must maintain a competitive program within the MWC with the goal of post-season participation. Must provide support and encouragement and ensure the safety and well-being of the student-athletes. This position will provide supervision to one part-time, non benefits-eligible, salaried exempt assistant coach, student managers, student workers, and volunteer assistant coaches. In addition, this position will have duties assigned to assist with game operations and will have the responsibility to teach one sports studies (coaching of soccer) course during the spring term each year. 

Qualifications
The following are the qualifications for this position:     
 
• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university
• 2 or more years collegiate soccer coaching experience
• 2 or more years collegiate soccer recruiting experience
• Evidence of the ability to plan, organize, and administer training strategies for practice
and game implementation (Design workouts & long-term training plans)
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and projects
• An appreciation for a residential liberal arts education, respect for individual differences,
openness to the values and opinions of others, and flexibility to adapt to constant
change.

The following are the preferred qualifications for this position:

• 3 or more seasons experience coaching collegiate soccer
• 3 or more seasons collegiate recruiting experience
• 1 or more seasons experience as a head collegiate soccer coach
• Experience with recruiting database Front Rush (or similar database)

• Experience building alumni and fan engagement, fundraising
• Experience with social media and overall promotion of athletics program

Application
To apply, send a cover letter, resume including contact information for three references, and complete the Knox College Employment Application by going to the link provided https://knoxhr.bamboohr.com/jobs/ . Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Finalists will be subject to a background check.

Notice of Non-Discrimination
In keeping with its commitment to equal rights since it was founded in 1837, Knox College particularly welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. Knox College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious affiliation, sexual orientation or preference, age, marital or family status, disability, veteran status, or other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in admission, financial aid, employment, athletics, or any other aspect of its educational programs or activities. In addition, Knox College is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its accompanying regulations from so discriminating on the basis of sex.

Any inquiries regarding Title IX or the College’s policies that prohibit discrimination should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator identified below. The Coordinator will be available to meet with or talk to students, staff, and faculty regarding issues relating to Title IX and this policy.