Seattle Sounders Women News Release - www.sounderswomen.com
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
TUKWILA, Wash. – The Seattle Sounders Women announced today that Lesle Gallimore has been named the club's Technical Director. Gallimore is the longest-tenured coach in the Pac-12, as this season marked her 19th as the women's head coach at the University of Washington. She will continue her role with the Huskies, while taking on Sounders Women Technical Director duties in the spring and summer.
“We’re excited and honored to have Lesle as a part of our organization," Sounders Women co-owner, Lane Smith, said. "With the successes she’s had at the University of Washington in building that program and developing professional and national team players, she’ll be a tremendous asset to the Sounders Women."
"The Sounders organization provides and has provided a lot of positive influence in the Seattle soccer community, and I’m honored to be even a small part of that positive influence and growth," Gallimore said.
Gallimore’s Technical Director responsibilities include recruiting, personnel decisions, local and national community relations, and advisory on all soccer-related business. The position will utilize Gallimore’s playing, coaching, and managerial experience from the past 30 years. She was an All-American player at the University of California and reached the final four as a player and assistant coach, has USA National team experience as a player and later as a coach, and boasts 12 NCAA appearances as the Huskies’ head coach.
"Lesle is on an elite level in terms of soccer reputation." Smith added. "There are very few people in our region that have as much positive influence in the women’s soccer game as her.”
"It’s always exciting to take on new ventures in the soccer world,” Gallimore said. “I’m always happy to help grow the women’s game in this country however I can, and if I can lend any type of experience or expertise to the Sounders Women organization it will be a fun challenge for me.”
Per NCAA regulations, Gallimore will not play a part in coaching at Sounders Women matches or training. However, as many as five current University of Washington players will still be eligible to join players from throughout the country in competing in rave green.
"I think it’s a great opportunity for me to help the Sounders put the best possible product on the field moving forward,” Gallimore added. "It has become increasingly popular for players from across the country to branch out and play W-League seasons away from home; so being able to combine homegrown talent with players from other top programs is hopefully something I can contribute to the organization."
Gallimore has compiled a record of 199-158-34 during her illustrious career with Washington. In addition to her head coaching duties, she also serves as an NSCAA and US Soccer Coaching Instructor and served on the NSCAA Board of Directors. This weekend she will receive the NSCAA Women’s Committee Award of Excellence at the NSCAA convention. As a Board member and Women's Committee member, she represented NSCAA interests in Washington, D.C. in the late 1990s for key considerations on Title IX and women’s rights in college sports.
Gallimore is a two-time NSCAA West Region Coach of the Year, was inducted into the California Hall of Fame, and previously coached Sounders Women Hope Solo, Tina Ellertson, Veronica Perez, Kate Deines, and countless other Sounder-Huskies.
For more information on the Sounders Women and the club’s staff, see www.SoundersWomen.com.