Rohla to command Trinity Western Spartans

LANGLEY, B.C. - Trinity Western University Director of Athletics Murray Hall announced Saturday afternoon that effective immediately former Vancouver Whitecaps women's team head coach Pat Rohla has been selected to be the new head coach of the Spartans men's soccer team.

"Pat Rohla is a first-class quality coach. His leadership, extensive soccer network, coaching experience and positive reputation will provide a bright future for our men's soccer program," commented Hall. "Pat's background in professional teaching and coaching will stand him in good stead for the task ahead of developing Complete Champions on and off the pitch".

Rohla, who spent the last two seasons as assistant coach on the Spartans championship women's soccer team, will take over a Spartans men's club that has qualified for the CIS national championships in each of their last four season and are in line for their fifth straight as host of the 2009 championship.

"I am excited yet feel daunted by the task of holding the torch Al Alderson has passed on. Al has created a fabulous program with a superb record. I know everyone will want to continue the good work that has been the signature of the TWU men's soccer program," commented Rohla.

The Langley, B.C. native has an extensive 20 year background in coaching soccer. Rohla was head coach of the TWU women's soccer program from 1996-1999 where he earned Coach of the Year honours in 1999. He was an assistant coach with the Whitecaps women from 2001 to 2003 where he was part of Vancouver's USL championship team in 2003. He was promoted to the head coaching position in 2004 where he led the Whitecaps to the USL championship final.

From 1998-2002, the BCSA "C" License certified coach and Level 1 and Level 2 instructor, led the Langley Ice Girls Metro team to four consecutive Provincial championship appearances, two Nike Provincial championships, two CSA National Championship appearances, two Coastal Cup Championships and Coastal Cup Team of the Year in 2001.

For 14 years, 1985-1999, Rohla led the Langley Secondary School girl's team to seven consecutive BC Provincial championship appearances. During this time he also led the LSS boy's team to two Provincial appearances and the Fraser Valley Championship in 1998.

Rohla will take over the men's program from interim coach Mike Shearon, who has been managing the program since the departure of former head coach Al Alderson in January.

"The current roster is talented, athletic and capable of challenging the top teams in the country. The task will be the ability to quickly adjust to each other as we move forward. We continue to add depth and players which will allow for competitive training for roster spots. One of the main goals, as I see it, is to qualify for this year's national championship on our own merit. We do not want to rest on the fact that we have a spot as the host team," commented Rohla. "We have an extremely aggressive pre-season with some top NCAA schools that will challenge us to get on the same page early. We hope to use this as a spring board for our regular season. There are no guarantees for success on the podium without commitment to each other, hard work, and ability to give selflessly to the greater cause for the team. I anticipate excellent results because I know the young men on the team understand the principles required for success."

This fall Trinity Western will be the proud hosts of the 2009 CIS men's soccer championships. With their host position the Spartans will set a TWU school record with five straight CIS men's soccer championship appearances. The Spartans have won three national championship medals (silver in 2008 and 2006 and bronze in 2005, they were fifth in 2007), and have finished as Canada West regular season champions in 2003, 2004, and 2007. They also won three straight Canada West Championships in 2005, 2006, and 2007, before finishing with silver in 2008.

Trinity Western University, located in Langley, B.C., is a not-for-profit Christian liberal arts university enrolling over 4,000 students this year. With a broad based, liberal arts and sciences curriculum, the University offers undergraduate degrees in 42 major areas of study ranging from business, education and computer science to biology and nursing, and 16 other graduate degrees including counselling psychology, theology and administrative leadership. For more information, visit TWU's Official Athletics site at gospartans.ca.

Source:

Scott Stewart
Sports Information Director
Trinity Western University