2008 Woodie Awards
Assistant coach takes helm in Iowa
Garcia-Pratts accepts coaching job at Luther College (Iowa); Altman replaces him at Trinity
Ariel Barkhurst
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Sports
After ten years in the Trinity University soccer program, Christopher Garcia-Pratts has accepted a head coaching position at Luther College in Iowa. Replacing him as full-time assistant coach is Kelly Altman, a former player who was serving part-time.
"We're keeping it in the family," said Head Soccer Coach Paul McGinlay. "Kelly played with us for four years and knows what the program is about."
During his time here, Garcia-Pratts was involved in the recruiting process and helped to train the team.
"The biggest thing about changing schools," Garcia-Pratts said, "was leaving Paul and leaving the players- kids I've recruited and kids I've seen develop. That's tough already."
The changeover date for the two positions was April 1. Since then, Garcia-Pratts has been at Luther College.
"It was mixed blessings, really," McGinlay said. "We were sorry to see him go. Our loss is certainly Luther's gain."
In addition to being a part-time assistant coach over the 2007 season, Altman coached the Central Catholic Boy's School to the Texas State Championship for private high schools. Most members of the Trinity soccer community feel confident that he will perform his new job well.
"I don't think it will be a big adjustment," said Junior and captain Tyrone Petrakis, midfielder, who played with Garcia-Pratts for three years but will finish his Trinity soccer career with Altman. "It will just be different."
The job at Luther is only the second head-coaching position that Garcia-Pratts applied for. According to McGinlay, his success after so few attempts was no fluke.
"His resume here is good: he's been involved with nine of the 10 last conference championships, a national championship, and then being best in the nation all year this year," McGinlay said.
Garcia-Pratts has been the only full-time assistant men's soccer coach since President John Brazil instated full-time assistants for each of the major sports.
According to Garcia-Pratts, Trinity was such a beneficial program that he wishes he could have stayed here despite his desire to attain a head-coaching position.
"I've been fortunate enough to play four years with one of the best coaches in the country," Garcia-Pratts said. "Trinity prepared me to move on and do well."
"We're keeping it in the family," said Head Soccer Coach Paul McGinlay. "Kelly played with us for four years and knows what the program is about."
During his time here, Garcia-Pratts was involved in the recruiting process and helped to train the team.
"The biggest thing about changing schools," Garcia-Pratts said, "was leaving Paul and leaving the players- kids I've recruited and kids I've seen develop. That's tough already."
The changeover date for the two positions was April 1. Since then, Garcia-Pratts has been at Luther College.
"It was mixed blessings, really," McGinlay said. "We were sorry to see him go. Our loss is certainly Luther's gain."
In addition to being a part-time assistant coach over the 2007 season, Altman coached the Central Catholic Boy's School to the Texas State Championship for private high schools. Most members of the Trinity soccer community feel confident that he will perform his new job well.
"I don't think it will be a big adjustment," said Junior and captain Tyrone Petrakis, midfielder, who played with Garcia-Pratts for three years but will finish his Trinity soccer career with Altman. "It will just be different."
The job at Luther is only the second head-coaching position that Garcia-Pratts applied for. According to McGinlay, his success after so few attempts was no fluke.
"His resume here is good: he's been involved with nine of the 10 last conference championships, a national championship, and then being best in the nation all year this year," McGinlay said.
Garcia-Pratts has been the only full-time assistant men's soccer coach since President John Brazil instated full-time assistants for each of the major sports.
According to Garcia-Pratts, Trinity was such a beneficial program that he wishes he could have stayed here despite his desire to attain a head-coaching position.
"I've been fortunate enough to play four years with one of the best coaches in the country," Garcia-Pratts said. "Trinity prepared me to move on and do well."
Be the first to comment on this story