Van Linder Adds Partridge To Coaching Staff
3/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
March 26, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack head coach George Van Linder announced Wednesday the hiring of Kelli Partridge as an assistant coach. Partridge is the newest member of the Ladyjack program but is no stranger to Van Linder, having worked under him for two seasons as a graduate assistant coach in his last post at Baylor.
"The fact that Kelli has worked with me for nearly two full years helps us and the team to come together a little faster," Van Linder said. "She knows what my expectations are for the squad."
Partridge has a broad range of experience and education on which to draw. The Florida native holds two degrees, both of which involved heavy emphasis on sport psychology. In addition, she has worked as a sport psychology consultant, as well as playing and coaching soccer at a high level for the past eight years of her life.
"The key to any successful program is quality assistant coaches, and we have that with Kelli Partridge," Van Linder said. "She is a jack of all trades, so she is valuable to the program in many different aspects."
While at Baylor, Partridge was involved in all phases of coaching from planning and conducting daily practice sessions, to recruiting, scouting and game analysis. She oversaw off-season and rest/recovery practice sessions and the team's strength and conditioning workouts. Partridge was also charged with organizing and directing Baylor's summer camps in her two years on staff.
Prior to that position, Partridge was a player and coach in the Mass Premier Soccer organization in Boston, Mass. She played three seasons with the Boston Renegades of the Women's W-League, and directed camps and clinics for more than 1,000 youth players during the summers. Partridge also served as an assistant coach for the U-14 girls Super Y League and U-19 girls teams.
As a collegiate player at Dartmouth from 2000 to 2004, Partridge was a part of three Ivy League Championship teams and three appearances in the NCAA Championships.
"Kelli had a wonderful collegiate experience," Van Linder said. "Her ability to share this experience with the players will help us build upon the foundation of success that already exists at SFA."
In the spring of 2003, Partridge worked as a sport psychology consultant assistant at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla. IMGA is largely recognized as the most advanced and successful training and educational facility ever created for young athletes. Partridge was a member of the IMGA Mental Conditioning staff and gained experience through both individual and group counseling sessions with athletes. She also produced motivational videos and was involved in daily administrative meetings and research projects.
Partridge earned a bachlor's in psychological and brain sciences from Dartmouth College in 2004. She holds a master's degree in health, human performance and recreation, with specialization in sport pedagogy from Baylor. Partridge has also earned national diploma and advanced national diploma coaching licenses from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
At SFA, Partridge will have a hand in all phases of the program, from recruiting, to planning workouts, to game-day coaching.
"Kelli's main responsibility will be to handle the behind-the-scenes things that go on with running a successful program," Van Linder said. "On the field, her sports psychology experience will be as valuable to us as her coaching knowledge."
-- SFA --
