February 13, 2012

Courtesy Jared Verner, Western State sports information director

GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State College of Colorado Athletic Director Dr. Greg Waggoner is excited to announce that Jeremy Clevenger will be the first Head Women's Soccer Coach in program history. Clevenger will start his new duties no later than March 1.

"I want to thank Greg Waggoner and the search committee for giving me this opportunity to start the women's soccer program," Clevenger said. "I am honored to be named the first head soccer coach in Western State College history.  I look forward to getting started and building something special."

Clevenger was on the staff of the inaugural seasons for men's and women's soccer at Fort Hays State last season. The Tigers had two women earn All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association honors and two men earn a spot on the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Central Region First Team. He was responsible for startup of the programs, recruiting, travel and practice.

Clevenger came to Fort Hays State after serving as the Head Women's Assistant Coach for Houston Baptist. The Huskies were the Great West Conference champions and had four all-tournament student-athletes during the conference championships. He was also the primary recruiting and travel coordinator and had responsibilities for practice and game coaching.

Clevenger was part of a staff at Baylor University in 2009-10 and helped lead the Bears to their first winning season since 2000. Baylor advanced to its first Big 12 tournament since 2006 and was second in the conference for its goals against average.

Clevenger spent a season at Ottawa University as the Head Assistant Coach for the men's and women's teams. The Braves had two women on the NAIA All-America team and finished as the runner-up in the conference tournament. He was the primary recruiting coordinator for both teams, monitored academic progress and was involved in alumni relations and fundraising.

Clevenger was a graduate assistant coach at the University of Central Missouri and was part of a staff that led the Jennies to a share of the MIAA title in 2007. The Jennies advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament and were ranked as high as fifth in the nation.

Clevenger entered the coaching ranks as an assistant men's soccer coach at Delta College. He was involved in practice and game coaching for the NJCAA program in California.

"We are very pleased to have Jeremy come aboard to be the first ever Women's Soccer Coach at Western," Waggoner said. "Jeremy knows our region and the state of Colorado and is a proven recruiter. Jeremy knows what it takes to launch a program and I am also confident he has the skills to get our program to a competitive level in time. He comes highly recommended by credible people and is a good fit for Western."

Clevenger holds his NSCAA Coaching Diploma and Regional Goalkeeper Diploma, and has a United States Soccer Federation Coaching License. He holds a B.S. degree in kinesiology from San Francisco State University and a M.S. degree in sports and business administration from Central Missouri.

Western State will begin competition in the fall of 2012 with a modified nonconference schedule. The Mountaineers will enter the RMAC schedule in fall 2013.