SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Jerry Smith Coaching for Life Academy has hired former Bronco Danielle Slaton as Director of the Jerry Smith Coaching for Life Academy. Slaton graduated from Santa Clara in 2002 with a degree in Psychology. She earned her Master's Degree in Sports Administration from Northwestern in 2010. She helped captain the Broncos to the 2001 national championship and was named the College Cup Defensive MVP. She was also a three-time All-American and the 2001 NCAA Scholar Athlete of the Year.
"I am incredibly honored to join the Jerry Smith Coaching for Life Academy and return to Santa Clara University," said Slaton. "I learned so many life lessons while at SCU, and I look forward to not only giving back to the school, but also growing a leadership academy that teaches many of the lessons I learned while here. Right now, I can't think of any other place I'd rather be, nor any other passion I'd rather pursue."
"I couldn't be more proud or excited about bringing Danielle Slaton back to campus," said Smith. "She epitomizes everything that's great about being a student-athlete, about being a Santa Clara Bronco, about being a role model, and about being a leader. She was the NCAA Scholar Athlete, which is only given to one student-athlete in our sport in the entire country. She is going to do great things for us and is going to be a great example of exactly what we're trying to highlight in the Jerry Smith Coaching for Life Academy."
Slaton played for the U.S. Women's National Team from 2000-05 and won a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics as well as a bronze medal in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. She played professionally in the U.S. in the United Soccer Association and in France for Olympique Lyonnias.
After she retired from playing, Slaton coached at Northwestern. She moved onto education and designed curriculum for college students and professors.
Slaton serves as an advisor to U.S. Soccer's Athlete Council and travels around the world coaching youth about the life lessons that soccer can teach. She is also a certified Positive Coaching Alliance trainer who educates students, coaches and parents on how to impact youth sports in a positive, character-building manner.
She has spent time as an analyst for Fox Sports and the Big Ten Network as well as an analyst for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
