McAlister Promoted to Women's Soccer 2nd Assistant

McAlister Promoted to Women's Soccer 2nd Assistant

April 19, 2005

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University's Curtis McAlister has been promoted to second assistant coach of the women's soccer program, head coach Jerry Smith recently announced. McAlister has been a volunteer assistant coach for the Broncos the past two seasons, and steps in for Erin Hussey, who was promoted to top assistant after Mike Smith left SCU last month to take an associate head coaching position at the University of Oregon. McAlister remains the program's goalkeeping coach and begins additional responsibilities immediately.

"I am very excited that we have been able to promote Curtis from our volunteer position, which he's held these past two years, to a full-time position," Smith said. "Curtis has been a tremendous asset to our program and now will have an opportunity to make an even bigger impact in a number of different areas both on and off the field."

A native of Modesto, Calif., McAlister spent four seasons as an assistant at Washington State University prior to joining the Broncos in March 2003. In addition to his duties on the mission campus, McAlister is also currently the head goalkeeper coach for the Olympic Development Program West Region and has served as an assistant with the U.S. Soccer National Youth Teams.

"Santa Clara has a collaborative staff where we learn and grow from working with one another, and it was an awesome opportunity to join this program two years ago as a volunteer coach," McAlister said. "I am excited to be able to continue contributing to the growth of our student-athletes and the success of such an established program."

In addition to being a USSF licensed coach, McAlister brings seven years of professional soccer playing experience to the Bronco program. McAlister played professionally from 1991 to '97, and in 1995, was a member of the U.S. National Futsal Team. He was also a member of the Major Soccer League champion San Diego Sockers in 1992.

While playing professionally, McAlister spent the off-season coaching goalkeepers on both the men's and women's teams at his alma mater, San Diego State University. He also served as head coach for a variety of youth club teams. Since 1997, McAlister has been a summer camp instructor at Santa Clara.

Santa Clara advanced to the program's 10th College Cup last December and was led by national Honda Award winner Leslie Osborne. The squad is currently participating in off-season conditioning and will take part in four scrimmages as part of the spring season.