There are a few coaches today that have made an impact on their players. In the WSC Pacific Division, Oxnard College women’s soccer head coach has been doing just that for years.
Condors women’s head coach Mike Scanlon is well qualified, hard working, and passionate about his job. Scanlon has been around soccer for a long time. He cares for his students and wants to see them succeed.
“I understand the influence I have on my players,” said Scanlon. “I am always striving to make their experiences positive.”
Scanlon has been coaching in Ventura County for a long time. He started professionally in 1984 as the men’s coach at Moorpark High School. That same year he led his team to a CIF championship. He coached there until 1994 when he became then men’s head coach at Moorpark College.
In 1995 he became the head coach of the women’s team at Moorpark College. Scanlon has been named college coach of the year twice, the first time at Moorpark in 1995 and the second at Oxnard in 2000. Scanlon played soccer himself at Loyola University in 1965 before soccer was an NCAA sport on the west coast.
Having coached both men’s and women’s soccer, Scanlon can see the differences in the game.
“The men’s game is more direct, much faster and more powerful,” said Scanlon. “The women’s game is more deliberate and tactical.”
Scanlon prides himself on helping his players receive athletic scholarships. In the last six years, 22 girls have gone on to four-year schools. This year, Randi Walters went to the University of Hawaii at Hilo with Annie Bordwell to follow.
Coach Scanlon enjoys coaching at Oxnard and is very inspired to see the progress the college is making in building a winning environment.
“The facilities at Oxnard College are the best in the state,” said Scanlon. “The weather is unmatched and the area is beautiful.”
This season the team had to deal with injuries early in the season and have struggled ever since. The Condors have not had a winning since 2003 when they went 14-4-3.
Win or lose, Coach Scanlon attitude towards teaching his players never seems to fade away.
“Students from this area are appreciative of the opportunities to learn and play this game and advance to the next level.”
