John Talerico of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Trojans is the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women's Soccer Coach of the Year.
Talerico was honoured at the 2021 CCAA Women's Soccer National Championship, hosted by Humber College in Woodbridge, ON.
"John has led the Trojans to an impressive season in Alberta," said Marlene Ford, CCAA Women's Soccer Convenor. "In addition to the on-field success, he ensures all varsity student-athletes have a good balance of academics and athletics and he takes pride in developing individuals on and off the field."
Talerico guided SAIT to a perfect 6-0 record and first-place finish in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) South Division. The Trojans went on to defeat the NAIT Ooks 1-0 in the gold-medal game at the Conference Championships.
Talerico has led the Women's Soccer program at SAIT since 2015 and has worked tirelessly to create one of the most consistently competitive teams in the ACAC.
At SAIT, Talerico's goal is to ensure his players are enjoying the student-athlete experience, while balancing academics and athletics. He encourages his players to be competitive and yet sound representatives for SAIT, while helping create job-ready graduates.
Talerico also accompanies his student-athletes to volunteer opportunities that arise.
In addition to his role with the Trojans, Talerico also coaches a girls youth team and a women's league team. He is also a board member of the Calgary Women's Soccer Association and is President of the Calgary Juventus Sports Club, which raises funds for youth groups.
"John is one of the classiest coaches I've ever come across," said Sean Carey, Head Coach of the Lethbridge Kodiaks, a competitor of Talerico and the Trojans in the ACAC. "Always respectful to everyone around and I love coaching against his organized and competitive teams every year."
Other nominees for the CCAA Women's Soccer Coach of the Year award were Dennis Kindel of the Capilano Blues (Pacific Western Athletic Association), Rob Lalama of the Niagara Knights (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association), Nicholas Razzaghi of the Vanier Cheetahs (Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec) and Danielle Cyr of the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics (Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association).
CCAA Coach of the Year winners receive a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of CCAA Championships.
Media Contact:
Rodney Wilson / rodney@ccaa.ca
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