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Bates Named Coach Of The Year
Clearwater Christian College women’s soccer coach has been named Coach of the Year of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division II by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The NSCAA is an athletic organization dedicated to providing educational instruction to a vast network of coaches, teams, and players across the soccer community. The recognition was presented at the annual Awards Banquet at the NSCAA Convention in Indianapolis.

According to the NSCAA, “Bates and the Lady Cougars earned the NCCAA Division II Championship title and wrapped up the 2012 season with an 18-2 overall record. This past season proved to be the most successful for the program, as the 18-win total was the best in its history. Additionally, Bates led a Clearwater Christian team that outscored NCCAA DII opponents 61-2 and recorded 12 shutouts.”

Coach Bates has earned the national and advanced national coaching diploma from the NSCAA and CCC is proud to have him as the women’s soccer coach. “It was a privilege to receive this award because it is truly a reflection of the team’s hard work, discipline, and dedication in giving their best to the glory of God,” said Coach Bates. “The award also reflects the value of having players with true character that are coachable, and the many volunteer hours of assistant coaches, James Moldenhauer and Chad Heffelfinger, both CCC graduates.” Coach Bates hopes the receipt of this award will encourage other young Christian athletes to consider CCC and the Lady Cougars.


The CCC athletic department is proud of Coach Bates and his accomplishments within the NSCAA. Athletic Director Michael Touma said, “I want to congratulate Mark on receiving the 2012 NSCAA Coach of the Year Award. Mark Bates is well-deserving of the Coach of the Year honor that was given him by the NSCAA. His obvious on-the-field accomplishments with an 18-2 record and first women’s soccer championship title point to this fact. However, it is Mark’s dedication to the young people that he coaches that makes the award even more deserving. Having a Coach of the Year is a boost to the program, and is evidence of the emphasis on excellence in the athletic program at Clearwater.”

Congratulations, Coach Bates!