2023 ACAC Men's Soccer Coaches of the Year
Edmonton, AB (October 24, 2023) –
North Male Coach of the Year | NIELS SLOTBOOM | Keyano Huskies:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is delighted to announce Niels Slotboom of the Keyano Huskies as the recipient of the 2023-24 ACAC Men's North Coach of the Year award.
Slotboom earns his first ACAC Coach of the Year award and is the first Keyano Huskies Men’s Soccer Head Coach to earn the honour since the 2016 outdoor season.
A product of Assen, Drenthe, The Netherlands, Slotboom is in his third year as the Head Coach of the Keyano Huskies Men’s Soccer, also handling duties as Head Coach of the Women’s Soccer Huskies. With the Men’s Soccer Huskies, he’s amassed a 17-9-3 in those three seasons, qualifying the Huskies for a playoff berth in all three seasons. He also coached the Men’s and Women’s Futsal Huskies to a pair of ACAC Championships in 2023.
Slotboom began his coaching career with Lethbridge FC and progressed to the Meridian Soccer Association in Lloydminster. After spending his post-secondary career with the Lakeland College Rustlers and Olds College Broncos, Slotboom entered the ACAC coaching ranks with the Broncos, first as an Assistant Coach and then as a Head Coach.
“Niels has been a catalyst in bringing our Men’s Soccer program back to their current standing as a leading program in the conference and threat for the ACAC podium,” said Jonathan Lambert Director, Athletics & Recreation with Keyano College. “This award is well deserved and recognition of the path to success he’s put this program on.”
This prestigious accolade will be formally celebrated at the 2023 ACAC Men's Soccer Championship, hosted by NAIT, TKU, and CUE in Edmonton, Alberta.
South Male Coach of the Year | CONNOR BRADY | SAIT Trojans:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) proudly announces Connor Brady of the SAIT Trojans as the recipient of the 2023-24 ACAC Men's Soccer South Division Coach of the Year.
As a coach, Connor is profoundly passionate, highly experienced, and extremely dedicated. He has cultivated a culture of excellence within his team and consistently motivates his athletes to strive for the utmost in every aspect of their lives — on the field, in the classroom, and in their daily endeavors.
Brady has guided his team to an impressive 9-1-0 record this season, culminating as the top-seeded team in the south division. His team has delivered an outstanding performance, scoring an impressive 49 goals while conceding only three.
SAIT Trojans Manager of Athletics, Lauren Kucera remarks, "Connor has built a successful program that has challenged the best in the country year after year and continues to produce outstanding soccer players and successful young adults. To receive this accolade for a second time in three years is proof of Connor’s ability as a coach and a leader in sport. The SAIT Trojans are extremely proud and appreciative of Connor and his accomplishments. Congratulations!"
2021-22 ACAC Men’s Soccer South Division Coach of the Year- SAIT Trojans
2014-15 ACAC Men’s Soccer North Division Coach of the Year- Keyano Huskies
2016-17 ACAC Men’s Soccer North Division Coach of the Year- Keyano Huskies
Connor Brady is the only ACAC soccer coach to be named top coach in both the South and North Divisions since the ACAC began awarding one for each in 2007-08.
This prestigious accolade will be formally acknowledged at the 2023 ACAC Men's Soccer Championship, hosted by NAIT, TKU, and Concordia in Edmonton, Alberta.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Blacquiere, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca