Women’s soccer loses successful head coach
By Daily Bruin Staff
Dec. 3, 1997 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 3, 1997
Women’s soccer loses successful head coach
RESIGNATION:
Fawcett leaving program to spend more time with familyBy Chris
Umpierre
Daily Bruin Contributor
After coaching her team to the best season in school history,
Joy Fawcett did the unthinkable on Wednesday when she resigned as
head coach of the UCLA women’s soccer team.
Despite leading her Bruins to the program’s first Pac-10
championship, a school record of 19 wins, and into the third round
of the playoffs, Fawcett reportedly decided to step down from the
program because of a lack in family time.
Fawcett had virtually no time to spend with her family because
of the countless other commitments she had during the soccer
season.
On top of leading a division-one soccer program, Fawcett coaches
a youth team and is a starting defender for the U.S. National
Team.
Fawcett had virtually no time to spend with her husband and two
young daughters when she came home after her numerous
commitments.
Although she had been performing this balancing act ever since
she signed with the program five years ago, it was this year that
was particularly tough on both Fawcett and her family.
Although Fawcett will continue to play on the national team, her
resignation from the UCLA women’s soccer program will free up a lot
of time for her to spend with her family.
To say that her resignation shocked the UCLA athletic department
is an understatement.
She did not voice any intentions that she was even thinking
about resigning, and her program succeeded tremendously. Just four
days ago the team had concluded a breakthrough season with a defeat
in the third round of the playoffs.
This season’s success had turned a lot of eyes towards UCLA.
With the resignation of their coach and the loss of seven
seniors from the squad, the Bruins will now not only have to
scramble to find a coach but to find leaders who can guide the team
next year.
Fawcett’s leadership and expertise will undoubtedly be missed.
She will be remembered as the coach that brought UCLA women’s
soccer to national recognition.
Throughout her five year tenure, Fawcett helped transform the
program from a little known team to a legitimate national
contender.
This past season Fawcett was rewarded for her efforts as she
earned her first Pac-10 Coach of the Year award.
UCLA Sports Information
UCLA women’s soccer coach Joy Fawcett led the Bruins to the
third round of the NCAA Tournament.
