In the March/April 2021 Soccer Journal Issue, three of our 30 Under 30 Members, Lora Gralheer, Christina Sarokon, and Claire Knock, co-authored an article exploring the history of the Women Coaches Advocacy Group and recognizing past leadership. Below are snippets of the article that were previewed on social media during Women’s History Month. In addition, the Advocacy Group began a Coach of the Week initiative. Each week the group spotlights a coach making strides in the game. March’s Coach of the Week nominees can be found at the bottom of this post. Members can read the full Soccer Journal feature here.
Women’s Advocacy Group: Leadership Legacy
Denise Dallamora
We start with our first chair, Denise Dallamora. Denise led Brandeis Women’s Soccer for four decades, accumulating 378 wins. Dallamora concluded her career Brandeis coaching career ranked 13th all-time in Division III history.
Marcia McDermott
Marcia McDermott served as Chair of the Women Coaches Advocacy Group in 1993. She’s coached and consulted at the professional level and currently offers Executive Coaching services through teamone21.com.
Lesle Gallimore
Lesle Gallimore is a Past President of United Soccer Coaches. She had a legendary 26-year career at Washington Women’s Soccer and won 270 games and made 15 NCAA Tournament appearances. Gallimore now leads the Girls Academy as the first-ever commissioner.
Louise Waxler
Louise Waxler, another United Soccer Coaches Past President, has over 30 years of experience in the Game, with roles in both the Women’s Professional Soccer league and the Women’s United Soccer Association. Louise is the current Executive Director of McLean Youth Soccer.
Karen Stanley
Karen Stanley is a former Santa Rosa Junior College Head Coach and Women’s Advocacy Group Past Chair. Karen is one of United Soccer Coaches’ first female coach educators and is an inductee of the California Community College Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame!
Sue Ryan
Sue Ryan is a Past Women’s Advocacy Group Chair and current United Soccer Coaches Advocacy Council Chair. She led the Stony Brook Women’s Soccer team for 31 years, where she guided the team from Division III to Division I. Sue has been a vital leader within East Region ODP.
Amanda Vandervort
Amanda Vandervort is another Past Women’s Advocacy Group Chair and United Soccer Coaches Past President. Amanda has consistently served the women’s game both on the pitch and in the boardroom. She’s currently impacting the game as Chief Women’s Football Officer for FIFPRO.
Lisa Cole
Lisa Cole is the current Head Coach of Antigua and Barbuda Women’s Football and the United Soccer Coaches Director of Goalkeeping. In addition to serving as a Past Chair, Lisa has coached in the youth, collegiate, international, and pro levels. She currently hosts the Keepers webinar series.
Missy Price
Dr. Missy Price is a Past Chair of the Women Coaches Advocacy Group and the current President of United Soccer Coaches. Dr. Price currently serves as Head Coach and as an Assistant Professor Wellesley College. She’s a lifetime member of the Goalkeeper Union and played collegiately for The University of Maryland Women’s Soccer Team.
Samantha Snow
Samantha Snow is the Women Coaches Advocacy Group’s most recent Past Chair. Sam is a Director at Bluesprings Youth Soccer Association and has coached in college and East Region ODP. She’s also a coach educator for both US Soccer and United Soccer Coaches.
March’s Women’s Advocacy Group Coaches of the Week
Lyndse Hokanson
Lyndse, who is the Colgate University Women’s Soccer Head Coach, earned her first career win as a Head Coach on Sunday beating Navy Women’s Soccer 2-1 in double OT.
Pamela McDonald
Pamela became the first woman head coach in history to lead a boys team to a state title in the Florida High School Athletic Association soccer championships.
Becky Burleigh
Becky celebrated her last home game with the Florida Gators Women’s Soccer team this weekend. Becky started the program in 1995 and won a national championship in just her fourth year.
Megan Jessee
Megan Jessee, Head Coach of the University of Rhode Island Women’s Soccer Program, led her team to their first victory over Boston College in program history, a nail-biting 3-2 OT win.
Erica Dambach
Penn State Women’s Soccer Head Coach Erica Dambach led her team to their 20th Regular Season Big Ten Soccer Title in program history with a 3-0 win over Nebraska this weekend. Congrats, Erica!