Nichols named head soccer coach

Waxahachie, TX - August 4, 2011 - Southwestern Assemblies of God University announced Gerald Nichols as the men’s head soccer coach, Monday, August 1, 2011.

“We are excited about the hiring of Gerald Nichols to lead our men’s soccer program,” Godding said. “Mr. Nichols brings a blend of spiritual, academic and athletic background that we believe will strengthen our students’ classroom experience and further enhance our soccer program.”

For the past two years, Nichols was the head soccer coach at Oakland City University near Evansville, Indiana. “I am very eager about this opportunity,” he said in a phone interview on Monday. With camp beginning on August 12, Nichols said the short time to prepare will be an exciting adventure. “I may not sleep much the next few weeks,” he laughed.

After graduating from Merritt Island High School, he played soccer for three years at Florida Southern College and earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. He later earned a master’s degree University in Sports Administration from Miami’s St. Thomas. He holds several coaching licenses: Class “C” from the United States Soccer Federation, a premier license from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America , and a regional goalkeeping coaching diploma.

Nichols, who will teach a Health & Fitness class at SAGU, is known as detail-oriented and is an organized tactician. His teams often play the possession and attack game.

Nichols was born in East Hanover, New Jersey. He and his wife Cheryl they have two adult children: Ryan, 26, and Suzie, 23.

Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The University was established in 1927, and now offers more than 60 associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.