Women's soccer loses successful head coach

Published: Thursday, December 4, 1997

Wednesday, December 3, 1997

RESIGNATION:

Fawcett leaving program to spend more time with familyBy Chris Umpierre

Daily Bruin Contributor

After coaching her team to the best season in school history, Joy Fawcett did the unthinkable on Wednesday when she resigned as head coach of the UCLA women's soccer team.

Despite leading her Bruins to the program's first Pac-10 championship, a school record of 19 wins, and into the third round of the playoffs, Fawcett reportedly decided to step down from the program because of a lack in family time.

Fawcett had virtually no time to spend with her family because of the countless other commitments she had during the soccer season.

On top of leading a division-one soccer program, Fawcett coaches a youth team and is a starting defender for the U.S. National Team.

Fawcett had virtually no time to spend with her husband and two young daughters when she came home after her numerous commitments.

Although she had been performing this balancing act ever since she signed with the program five years ago, it was this year that was particularly tough on both Fawcett and her family.

Although Fawcett will continue to play on the national team, her resignation from the UCLA women's soccer program will free up a lot of time for her to spend with her family.

To say that her resignation shocked the UCLA athletic department is an understatement.

She did not voice any intentions that she was even thinking about resigning, and her program succeeded tremendously. Just four days ago the team had concluded a breakthrough season with a defeat in the third round of the playoffs.

This season's success had turned a lot of eyes towards UCLA.

With the resignation of their coach and the loss of seven seniors from the squad, the Bruins will now not only have to scramble to find a coach but to find leaders who can guide the team next year.

Fawcett's leadership and expertise will undoubtedly be missed. She will be remembered as the coach that brought UCLA women's soccer to national recognition.

Throughout her five year tenure, Fawcett helped transform the program from a little known team to a legitimate national contender.

This past season Fawcett was rewarded for her efforts as she earned her first Pac-10 Coach of the Year award.

UCLA Sports Information

UCLA women's soccer coach Joy Fawcett led the Bruins to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.