PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College assistant soccer coach Tim Tucker has been named the National Junior College West Region Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Tucker, of Port Angeles, recently completed his sixth season assisting the Pirates, where he has helped the men’s team win five straight West Region championships and three Northwest Athletic Association of Community College championships.
He also has assisted with the women’s team over the past two years, helping it claim two West titles and back-to-back NWAACC championships.
“Tim’s contribution to our success, and to the success and development of this soccer community, is immeasurable,” Peninsula director of athletics Rick Ross said.
“He is very deserving of this honor.”
Tucker was nominated for the award by Pirate head coach Andrew Chapman, who said, “Tim is somebody I can count on. He is able to step in and run practices, coach games and he’s become a coach that players respect and listen to.
“If it was not for coach Tucker, we would not have done as well as we have this season.”
The Peninsula men were unbeaten with 21 wins and two ties en route to repeating as NWAACC champions.
The Pirates finished the year ranked No. 7 in the NSCAA National Junior College Coaches Poll and No. 1 in the Alaska Airlines NWAACC Poll. They also placed seven of eight sophomores on the NWAACC’s All-Academic Team.
Tucker, who has a National D Coaching License, has worked with the city of Port Angeles and with Port Angeles Youth Soccer to develop leagues, camps and clinics, all aimed at providing recreational opportunities and developing young players in the community.
He also coordinates numerous community service activities.
“He is always thinking of ways to not only make soccer at Peninsula College better, but to make soccer in the entire community better,” Chapman said.
“Without Tim, we would not be the soccer program we are and have the fantastic community support that we do.”
The college was recently notified by coach Tucker’s award in a memo from Tom Kirchhoff, chair of the NSCAA Awards Committee.
By virtue of winning the award, Tucker will also be considered for the 2013 National Junior College Assistant Coach of the Year Award, to be announced on Dec. 17.
“This is fantastic that Tim got this award,” Chapman said.
“It just shows how important he is to us and how hard he works.”
