KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Jan. 21, 2022) — It was announced on Friday, at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Kansas City, that Dr. Douglas Williamson has been elected to the association’s Board of Directors. Dr. Williamson will serve a six-year term on the United Soccer Coaches Board of Directors. He will hold the title of Vice President for four years,
beforeserving one year each as President and Immediate Past President. “First of all it’s humbling,” said Dr. Williamson “This organization, since January 1983, has meant more to me than I know how to put into words. I have friends, mentors, coaching colleagues, who are so special and have been so influential in my life. So this is a high honor, one of the most important honors of my life, and I’m looking forward to being of service in any way I can on the board.”A United Soccer Coaches member since 1983, Williamson is a long-time instructor on the association’s National Academy Staff, serving since 1994. He has been a Senior Academy Staff coach since 2006.He became certified to teach the then-NSCAA State Diploma (now United Soccer Coaches 4v4 Diploma) course in 1986 and has taught that course more than 50 times. Among the states in which he has taught the course include Arizona (on a Native American reservation), Montana (to representatives from six different Native American reservations) and New Mexico (twice in conjunction with the Indigenous Soccer Cup).Williamson has been active in Coaching Academy affairs including curriculum design with an emphasis in material related to coaching ethics. He revised the current United Soccer Coaches Code of Ethics. Williamson served as the Assistant Director of Coaching Education for five years, providing oversight for administration of both national and regional Academy courses. In addition, he has served as a clinician at numerous Conventions.A Needham, Massachusetts native, Williamson coached collegiate programs with stints at Curry College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ohio Wesleyan University, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Wellesley College and Kenyon College. He also had served as a secondary school coach with programs in Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska and Ohio.Dr. Williamson was the recipient of the Charlotte Moran Youth Long-Term Service Award in 2021, the Mike Berticelli Excellence in Coaching Education Award in 2005, and a Letter of Commendation in 2016.Dr. Williamson will officially join the Board of Directors on Sunday, Jan. 23 at the Convention in Kansas City. The United Soccer Coaches Board of Directors is led by the following 11 members of the association, including six individuals elected by the membership, four at-large representatives appointed by the President and the Advocacy Council Chair.As of Sunday, the Board of Directors will consist of the following individuals: Immediate Past President: Dr. Missy PricePresident: Ashlee Fontes-ComberFirst Vice President: Dr. David CarrSecond Vice President: Rusty OglesbyThird Vice President: Heather DycheFourth Vice President: At-Large Representative: Andy HaileAt-Large Representative: Haroot HakopianAt-Large Representative: Greg HubbardAt-Large Representative: Dr. Nefertiti WalkerAdvocacy Council Chair: Sue Ryan In addition, United Soccer Coaches CEO Geoff VanDeusen is a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.
