Michelle Morgan, women’s soccer coach and Senior Women’s Administrator at Amherst College, has been named the recipient of the 2002 NSCAA Women's Committee Award of Excellence, sponsored by the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS). Morgan will be honored at the Women’s Soccer Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 17, as part of the 2003 NSCAA Convention in Kansas City, Mo.
"Michelle is one of the unsung heroes of the women’s game, one that acts continually without ever asking to be recognized," said Karen Stanley, NSCAA Women’s Committee Chair and women’s soccer coach at Santa Rosa Junior College. "We are all benefiting from her impact now with the growth of the sport and the coaching profession for women. We all agreed that this was her time to shine."
In 25 years on the sidelines at Amherst, Morgan has built the soccer program into one of the nation’s finest. She has amassed a career record of 206-111-38, earning her 200th victory during the 2002 season. Amherst has appeared in six NCAA Tournaments and two Final Fours under Morgan, including an NCAA Division III runner-up finish in 2001. She was named NSCAA/adidas New England Regional Coach of the Year in 2001.
In addition to her current duties in the athletic department, Morgan is a professor of physical education and athletics and has previously coached squash, basketball, lacrosse and golf at the school. Morgan earned her bachelor’s degree from Colorado Women’s College (1974) and her master’s in physical education from Smith College (1976).
The NSCAA Women's Committee of Excellence Award, sponsored by the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS), was established in 1999 to recognize those who have brought honor and distinction to women's soccer.
Past NSCAA Women’s Committee of Excellence recipients
1999 - April Heinrichs, U.S. Women’s National Team Coach
2000 - Michelle Akers, U.S. Women’s National Team, FIFA Female Player of the Century
2001 - Lauren Gregg, WUSA Vice President of Player Personnel and Technical Director
The Washington Area Girls Soccer League has supplied sponsorship funds from this award to be used in the promotion of the women's game through various inner-city programs. Money will also be donated to charities that promote female soccer participation.
