KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Nov. 24, 2020) — United Soccer Coaches announced on Tuesday that William Smith College Head Coach Aliceann Wilber has been selected for the Women’s Soccer Award of Excellence, sponsored by Women and Girls in Soccer (WAGS). Wilber will be honored at the Women’s Coaches Reception on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 as part of the United Soccer Coaches Digital Convention.
Established in 1999, the Women’s Soccer Award of Excellence is presented each year in recognition of those who have brought honor and distinction to women’s soccer. WAGS has supplied sponsorship funds for this award to be used in the promotion of the women’s game through various charitable programs for women and girls in soccer.
“The longstanding support for the Women’s Award of Excellence by WAGS is treasured by United Soccer Coaches,” said Kevin Sims, President of United Soccer Coaches. “Aliceann Wilber’s commitment to excellence on and off the field has been exemplary. She has lifted women’s soccer through coaching excellence and consummate service to the game.”
The only soccer coach in the history of the William Smith program, Wilber has built the Herons from the ground up into one of the most successful and respected programs in the nation. She has a career record of 593-137-59 (.789) following the 2019 season, her 40th year as a collegiate head coach. Under her guidance, William Smith won NCAA Division III National Championships in 1988 and 2013.
She became the first woman in collegiate soccer history to earn 500 career wins, and her current total puts her in first place on the Division III all-time list and second among coaches in all divisions of women’s soccer. She was named the United Soccer Coaches Division III National Coach of the Year in 1987, 1988, 1991, 2008 and 2013 and remains one of only three coaches (and the first woman) to win the award five times at any level.
In 2013, she was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of United Soccer Coaches as the Women’s College Representative and served in the same capacity on the association’s Advocacy Council until the spring of 2020. She is also the National Chair of the Women’s Division III All-America Committee.
Wilber was inducted into the United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019. Along with Dr. Colleen Hacker, they became the first two women to be enshrined. In 2003, she became the first female to receive the association’s prestigious Bill Jeffrey Award for her long-term service to college soccer.
To see a list of previous winners, click here.