NMIFA in the News

This was in today's Marianas Variety:

NMI to have new soccer coach
By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

IT looks like the NMI will have a new soccer coach in Southern Methodist University (Texas) assistant Jason Higgins.

In an unofficial NMIFA blog, Northern Mariana Islands Football Association vice president vice president David Khorram said Higgins’ arrival on Saipan “will be a leap forward for our football (and soccer) program in the Mariana Islands.”
Variety emailed NMIFA secretary general Peter Coleman to confirm Higgins’ appointment, but he has yet to respond at press time.

NMI team member Brenda Schultz declined to comment on Higgins’ appointment, but said the NMIFA officials, who are mostly off island, would meet on Aug. 2 or 3 to discuss the association’s plans for the remaining season.

If Higgins made the grade, he will replace Jeff “Ziggy” Korytoski, who coached the NMI men’s team during the East Asian Football Federation qualifier against Guam this year.

Korytoski left Saipan in mid May and returned to Wright State University, Ohio, where he is an assistant coach.

According to the blog, at SMU, Higgins is responsible for all team travel arrangements, scouting of opponents, game administration, and office administration. He also assists with recruiting, video and match analysis, on-field coaching, off-season conditioning, and summer camps.

Higgins was the former head coach at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, for two seasons and holds a USSF “B” license and the advanced national coaching license.

Wild Bill’s 1, Taya Tent 1

Meanwhile, at the continuation of action in NMIFA’s Co-ed Summer Leaguer, the Wild Bill’s and Taya Talent game last Tuesday ended in a draw, 1-1.

Arkie Reusora of Wild Bill’s scored the first goal in the early part of the first half, while Chris Nelson tied the game with a goal a few minutes before the first half ended.

Neither team scored in the second half as goalies Glenn Smith and Peter Bonser held their ground.

The draw gave Wild Bill a 1-0-2 win-loss-draw record, while Taya Talent recorded its third straight draw.

Two other teams are playing in the co-ed league, namely the Pika Raiders (0-0-1) and Dread Pirates (0-1).

There are a few mistakes in the story, so go with the info in the blog, not the newspaper.

New CNMI Football Coach

Dr. David "the Destroyer" Khorram posted this on his blog:

Jason Higgins and his wife (who is from London) arrive on August 1. Jason is currently an Assistant Coach at SMU in Texas. Here is is bio from the SMU website. It sounds like this will be a leap forward for our football (and soccer) program in the Mariana Islands. Welcome, Jason!

***

Jason Higgins begins his third season on staff, having come to the Hilltop in the spring of 2005. At SMU, Jason is heavily involved in all aspects of the program. In particular, he is responsible for all team travel arrangements, scouting of opponents, game administration, and office administration. Jason also be assists with recruiting, video and match analysis, on-field coaching, off-season conditioning, and summer camps.

Prior to his involvement with SMU, Jason served as the head assistant men's soccer coach at the University of Dayton in 2004-2005. During that season, Dayton compiled a 11-7-1 record, making a trip to the Atlantic 10 conference semi-finals. His responsibilities included but were not limited to: recruiting coordinator, scouting of opponents, practice and game management and travel arrangements. During his tenure in Ohio, Jason also was involved with the Olympic Development Program for the `86' Boys team.

Prior to his Dayton experience, Jason served as the Director of Operations at Rutgers University in 2003-04 when the Scarlet Knights were consistently ranked in the Top 25 in the nation. He was involved with all aspects of the program and enjoyed a trip to the second round of the NCAA Soccer Tournament His major responsibilities included but were not limited to: travel coordinator, film editing, game and practice management, and day to day office administration.

Higgins has also held the position of Head Coach at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, for two seasons. There, he recruited and coached the American Southwest Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. His initial season ended with a 4-15 record, but his squad rebounded to post an 11-5-2 mark in his second year, while consistently starting eight of his 17 recruited freshmen.

From 1999 to 2001, he was the assistant men's varsity soccer coach at his alma mater, Springfield College in Springfield, Mass. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Springfield in May 1999, and obtained his Master's degree in Education from the same college in May 2001.

Higgins holds a USSF "B" license and the Advanced National Coaching License.