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Pat Parris prepares for inaugural season
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By David Beall
In discussions with four members of the search committee for the new men's soccer coach at NGCSU, one word came up in every conversation to describe Pat Parris. Humble.
Following a disappointing 5-12 season last year, Parris comes to Dahlonega with energy, excitement, and a desire to teach young men about life and soccer.
“Through the interview process, and dealing with the athletic faculty I felt right at home,” Parris Said. “I thought we shared the same vision of what this school can become.”
“The challenge to do something new and different is pretty exciting,” Parris explained. “This is a fresh start in a conference where the caliber of men's soccer is pretty much like the ACC of division II.”
Parris comes to North Georgia from Georgia Southern where he was a four-year letter winner and served as an assistant coach under Kevin Kennedy.
He also served as an assistant coach at Statesboro High School, helping them capture back-to-back region championships.
“In both my previous two assistant coaching jobs, I was allowed to think as a head coach and give my opinion, Parris said about being ready to be a head coach. “With that experience, it gave me a lot of freedom to think about what I would do in this position.”
Born in The Bronx, New York, Parris quickly escaped “Yankee town” and prepared for a handful of moves due to his father's military duty.
Moves to Belgium, back to New York, Alabama, Germany, and finally a move to Hinesville, Georgia in 1991 left Parris wondering if a small town in South Georgia even knew what soccer was.
Parris was enrolled at Bradwell Institute and flourished in high school, winning multiple offensive awards, including Coastal Empire Most Valuable Player on his way to becoming a four-year letter winner.
He had a coach that instilled a lot of discipline and heart into his team with a recurring statement to make sure they kept their cool. The coach would say, “Attitude check” and the team would respond with a resounding, “Praise the Lord!”
Parris takes over a team that only returns six starters, and struggled in 2006, winning only two of the final nine games.
“The guys have to believe in what we are trying to do,” Parris said. “It is going to be a roller coaster ride, but we will have to stay focused over the course of a long season.”
The new head coach has been actively recruiting this spring, bringing 16 new faces to the club for the fall season.
The class includes standout Justin Elie, who played under Parris for two years at GSU.
In 2005 Elie played in 13 games for the Eagles, scoring 5 goals and an assist, for 11 points, which was good for second highest on the club.
Bradley Rose, another newcomer has experience playing at the collegiate level for Lees McCrae, and was also called up to train for Jamaican National Team.
“I am looking for individuals who have great character, are hungry to play the game, and are excited about having the opportunity to play for this school and their teammates,” Parris said of his recruiting style. “I believe those are the qualities of all the players coming here this fall.”
In just the second game on the schedule for the 2007 campaign, the soccer program will head down to Georgia Southern to take on Parris' old team in an exhibition match.
“It is always a good opportunity for the guys to play a division I team,” Parris said. “This is their chance to see where they stand against a program with a lot of tradition.”
“Most of the guys down there I recruited so I know what kind players they are. The reason why I scheduled the game with Georgia Southern is so these guys could get ready for what is coming this season.”
No one seems to be concerned that Parris will come in and make the men's soccer program a powerhouse in the Peach Belt Conference.
North Georgia Athletic Director Randy Dunn could not be more excited, “I feel like Pat brings to the table a sense of professionalism from the way he handles his business and presents himself on and off the field.”
With as much emphasis placed in the classroom as on the field, Parris will make sure each student realizes the privilege of playing college soccer.
Margaret Poitevint, a math professor at NGCSU, was apart of the search committee for Parris and committed on his ability, “I feel like he will hold his students responsible not only for soccer, but also for academics, and as a teacher I was very pleased by that.”
With a completely new squad looking to take the field this August at the soccer complex, no one is more ready then the head coach. “The biggest thing I am preaching to these guys is that nothing can be accomplished without sacrifice. All the guys are excited, and this is just a great chance for a new era and a great tradition.”
So, with excitement brewing in Dahlonega for the men's soccer program, Parris thinks his team could make an immediate impact and start a dynasty in the near future.
“The goal this year is to finish in the top four spots and have a run during the playoffs. Every year it is like March Madness, you know who the top teams are, but you never know on a day-to-day basis who could win.”
The one thing you can count on in 2007 is that Pat Parris will keep that big smile on his face and make sure that his kids have fun and enjoy the game.
Athletic Director Randy Dunn summed it up best when he said, “He is going to teach those guys more then wins and losses, he is going to teach them about life.”
Following a disappointing 5-12 season last year, Parris comes to Dahlonega with energy, excitement, and a desire to teach young men about life and soccer.
“Through the interview process, and dealing with the athletic faculty I felt right at home,” Parris Said. “I thought we shared the same vision of what this school can become.”
“The challenge to do something new and different is pretty exciting,” Parris explained. “This is a fresh start in a conference where the caliber of men's soccer is pretty much like the ACC of division II.”
Parris comes to North Georgia from Georgia Southern where he was a four-year letter winner and served as an assistant coach under Kevin Kennedy.
He also served as an assistant coach at Statesboro High School, helping them capture back-to-back region championships.
“In both my previous two assistant coaching jobs, I was allowed to think as a head coach and give my opinion, Parris said about being ready to be a head coach. “With that experience, it gave me a lot of freedom to think about what I would do in this position.”
Born in The Bronx, New York, Parris quickly escaped “Yankee town” and prepared for a handful of moves due to his father's military duty.
Moves to Belgium, back to New York, Alabama, Germany, and finally a move to Hinesville, Georgia in 1991 left Parris wondering if a small town in South Georgia even knew what soccer was.
Parris was enrolled at Bradwell Institute and flourished in high school, winning multiple offensive awards, including Coastal Empire Most Valuable Player on his way to becoming a four-year letter winner.
He had a coach that instilled a lot of discipline and heart into his team with a recurring statement to make sure they kept their cool. The coach would say, “Attitude check” and the team would respond with a resounding, “Praise the Lord!”
Parris takes over a team that only returns six starters, and struggled in 2006, winning only two of the final nine games.
“The guys have to believe in what we are trying to do,” Parris said. “It is going to be a roller coaster ride, but we will have to stay focused over the course of a long season.”
The new head coach has been actively recruiting this spring, bringing 16 new faces to the club for the fall season.
The class includes standout Justin Elie, who played under Parris for two years at GSU.
In 2005 Elie played in 13 games for the Eagles, scoring 5 goals and an assist, for 11 points, which was good for second highest on the club.
Bradley Rose, another newcomer has experience playing at the collegiate level for Lees McCrae, and was also called up to train for Jamaican National Team.
“I am looking for individuals who have great character, are hungry to play the game, and are excited about having the opportunity to play for this school and their teammates,” Parris said of his recruiting style. “I believe those are the qualities of all the players coming here this fall.”
In just the second game on the schedule for the 2007 campaign, the soccer program will head down to Georgia Southern to take on Parris' old team in an exhibition match.
“It is always a good opportunity for the guys to play a division I team,” Parris said. “This is their chance to see where they stand against a program with a lot of tradition.”
“Most of the guys down there I recruited so I know what kind players they are. The reason why I scheduled the game with Georgia Southern is so these guys could get ready for what is coming this season.”
No one seems to be concerned that Parris will come in and make the men's soccer program a powerhouse in the Peach Belt Conference.
North Georgia Athletic Director Randy Dunn could not be more excited, “I feel like Pat brings to the table a sense of professionalism from the way he handles his business and presents himself on and off the field.”
With as much emphasis placed in the classroom as on the field, Parris will make sure each student realizes the privilege of playing college soccer.
Margaret Poitevint, a math professor at NGCSU, was apart of the search committee for Parris and committed on his ability, “I feel like he will hold his students responsible not only for soccer, but also for academics, and as a teacher I was very pleased by that.”
With a completely new squad looking to take the field this August at the soccer complex, no one is more ready then the head coach. “The biggest thing I am preaching to these guys is that nothing can be accomplished without sacrifice. All the guys are excited, and this is just a great chance for a new era and a great tradition.”
So, with excitement brewing in Dahlonega for the men's soccer program, Parris thinks his team could make an immediate impact and start a dynasty in the near future.
“The goal this year is to finish in the top four spots and have a run during the playoffs. Every year it is like March Madness, you know who the top teams are, but you never know on a day-to-day basis who could win.”
The one thing you can count on in 2007 is that Pat Parris will keep that big smile on his face and make sure that his kids have fun and enjoy the game.
Athletic Director Randy Dunn summed it up best when he said, “He is going to teach those guys more then wins and losses, he is going to teach them about life.”
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For example, if Mr. Fill-in-the-Blank says something you don't agree with, don't tell the world that Mr. Fill-in-the-Blank is a no good dirty scoundrel who cuts off people in traffic and has owed you $20 since 1997. The Nugget asks you to please just stick to the issues at hand. That way we'll keep the debate lively, without getting personal. And remember, above all else, keep it civil and directed at the topic that's being discussed. We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
