Joe Cummings, president and general manager of the Boston Breakers franchise of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), has been named as the new CEO and executive director for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). His selection was announced today by NSCAA President Randy Waldrum, the women’s soccer coach at the University of Notre Dame.

Cummings will be presented to the NSCAA Board of Directors at its semi-annual meeting this weekend in Baltimore, Md., and will assume his new duties in early September after the conclusion of the WPS season.

“What Joe Cummings offers to the role of NSCAA CEO and executive director is unique in its tremendous diversity, its depth of experience and the passion that he has for the Association,” said Waldrum. “We couldn’t ask for someone more qualified to assume the responsibilities of leading the world’s largest coaches association.”

“I want to thank the Selection Committee and Board of Directors for the confidence they have shown in me with this appointment,” said Cummings. “As a member of the NSCAA for nearly three decades, I view this as a wonderful opportunity. I look forward to joining the national office staff and continuing the outstanding work of the NSCAA."

An NSCAA member since 1981, Cummings served as the Association’s president in 2004. His career has touched soccer at every level of the game, from youth club teams to the men’s and women’s professional ranks. He currently serves as president and general manager of the Boston Breakers of Women’s Professional Soccer. He held the same position for the club’s tenure under the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) banner from 2000 to 2003, twice earning the league’s Executive of the Year award (2002, 2003). He also has had two stints with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer, first as its assistant general manager (1996-99), then as technical director (2004-05).

Cummings began his coaching career more than 30 years ago by founding the Northboro (Mass.) Youth Soccer Association. In 1976 he moved into the high school ranks at his alma mater, Algonquin Regional High School. He led his boys squad to a league and district championship and the state semifinals, earning New England Regional Coach of the Year honors in 1983. That year he began a two-year stint as the men’s coach at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. The Crusaders posted 10 wins in his second season there, matching the school record for single-season victories. He also was president and director of coaching for SOCCER SCENE, a youth club that produced five state championship teams.

In addition to his coaching and professional soccer background, Cummings brings significant administrative experience to the NSCAA. It includes working as the director of operations for the Birmingham venue of the 1996 Olympic Games soccer tournament, the 1999 Women’s World Cup and as venue manager for the Boston and Philadelphia venues for the 2003 Women’s World Cup. He spent two years as the CEO and executive director of the Amesbury (Mass.) Sports Park/New England Soccer School/Sports Turf International and served as COO of Women’s Professional Soccer, lending his experience and expertise prior to its launch.

Cummings holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Providence College and a master’s in education from Springfield College. He and his wife, Ann Marie, have two sons, Joseph and Paul.
 

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