Athletics News
MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave Community College has announced the appointment of Robert A. Podeyn as the head coach of its inaugural Women’s Soccer squad, with this past weekend seeing him take to the pitch in Mohave County for the first time at the College’s Girls ID Camp in Bullhead City.
Coach Podeyn comes to MCC from Nicholls State University in Louisiana, with his coaching career spanning various levels of college soccer, starting as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Central Florida and progressing to head coaching positions at NCAA Division II, NAIA, and other levels. His coaching experience includes working with renowned clubs such as AFC Ajax in Holland, Clube Atletico Mineiro in Brazil, and Fiorentina in Italy.
“It is an honor to be selected as the first ever head coach to lead the Women’s Soccer program at Mohave Community College,” said Coach Podeyn. “I am really looking forward to helping to build a fun experience here and am really looking forward to working with and getting to know the players and the communities in and around Bullhead City. I am excited to work with everyone at Mohave Community College, including Athletic Director Camilo Valencia and Bullhead City Campus Dean of Student & Community Engagement Gary Cooper, who have a passion and vision for this program and the campus here in Bullhead City. I can’t wait to be a part of everything moving forward.”
The College held its spring Girls ID Camp on Saturday, March 9 at Anderson Fieldhouse in Bullhead City, giving Coach Podeyn his first look at the soccer talent in Mohave County. ID Camps are designed to identify, evaluate and prepare players seeking to compete at the collegiate level. Coach Podeyn also appreciated the opportunity to get to know some of the players making up the inaugural roster for Women’s Soccer.
Get to know Coach Podeyn through the Q&A session below:
Q: Where were you born and raised?
A: I was born in New York but raised throughout the South as my stepdad was in the Navy and I was in a military family for a while. I moved from New York when I was 1 and then lived in Florida, South Carolina and Virginia from the time I was 1 until I was 11. We moved back up to New York by the time I was 12. I lived there until I got married in 1990, then moved back to Florida.
Q: Where did you attend high school and college?
A: I attended high school at Kings Park High School on Long Island in New York. I attended LIU-CW post-college while playing, then finished up at Dowling College in New York.
Q: What are team awards you have received?
A: I have nine years of high school coaching experience in Florida at two different high schools, Kissimmee-Osceola High School and Orlando-Boone High School. I have coached college for 26 years, four as an assistant coach at the University of Central Florida and 22 years as Head Coach at five different programs.
Q: Tell us about your family and hobbies?
A: What my wife and I have learned the past year has been how much we miss our family and friends. We have our sons living in Southern California and they will now be only four hours away. We have close friends that live in Apache Junction and in Las Vegas and surrounding suburbs. This move is so important for us as this is where we wanted to be because of the strong network we have in place there. I love the sport of soccer and am involved with it on many levels, including coaching, teaching, learning, reading and writing. I also enjoy traveling and exploring, music and concerts and shows, and attending sporting events of all kinds.
Q: Why did you choose Mohave Community College?
A: I have always wanted to coach at the junior college level and had looked at it a few times. When I saw this position open I felt it was perfect. It would get us closer to our sons, closer to friends, and I could really focus on teaching the game and having fun without the pressure of always having to win. Don’t misunderstand, as I do like to win and am competitive, but I really want to lead from a position of teaching and learning. I want to teach kids who are excited to be a part of something new. I also want to learn from them so that together we can build a unique experience at Mohave Community College.
The College held its spring Girls ID Camp on Saturday, March 9 at Anderson Fieldhouse in Bullhead City, giving Coach Podeyn his first look at the soccer talent in Mohave County. ID Camps are designed to identify, evaluate and prepare players seeking to compete at the collegiate level.
The Mohave Community College Soccer Girls ID Camp included drills, scrimmages and much more.
