SUMMIT – Southwest Vice-President for Student Affairs/Director of Athletics Dr. Bill Ashley has announced the hiring of Betty Ann Casey as the head coach for the SMCC women’s soccer program. Casey comes to Summit from the University of the Southwest (Hobbs, NM) where she served as women’s soccer head coach from 2013-2016. Casey has extensive coaching experience including serving as the top assistant coach at the University of Southern Mississippi (2011-13).

“The committee was overwhelmingly enthusiastic in their recommendation to me after her interview,” said Ashley. “They were highly impressed with her command of the room, her personality and how much enthusiasm she displayed in presenting her plan for Southwest women’s soccer.

“The college has a total of four former four-year college coaches who understand the holistic nature of how a college athletic program should be: student centered, a nurturing support structure, and a model that encapsulates recruiting, player development, and community service. We are very fortunate to add Ms. Casey to the fold!” concluded Ashley.

A native of New Jersey, Casey graduated high school in Parkland, FL. She is a 2006 graduate of Mississippi State University, with a B. S. degree in Educational Psychology, and is currently working toward a Master’s degree in Education Administration.

Casey ranks in the Top 10 in Mississippi State soccer history in points, goals, assists, shots and game-winning assists. She led the team in scoring, shots and points in 2003-05 and in assists for two of those years.

Casey has played professionally for the Miami Kickers of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and for the Vancouver Whitecaps, New Jersey Wildcats and New Jersey South Banshees of the W-League.

She has also played for the Cape Coral Cyclones, Coral Springs Renegades and the Florida State Olympic Development team, among others.

Casey has received numerous honors during her playing career. In 2008, she was named the WPSL Player of the Year and was selected to the All-Sunshine Conference team. She was also named the WPSL’s MVP six separate weeks in 2008. She was named Florida Player of the Year and 1st Team All-County by the Miami Herald and Sun-Sentinel newspapers in 2001and 2002.

Casey said she is “excited about the opportunity” to coach at Southwest. She said fans and supporters “can expect the team to make an impact on campus and in the community and, eventually, within Mississippi and, hopefully, nationally, not only on the field but in the classroom.”

Casey said she will be “happy to bring in players who want to use soccer as a facilitator to an education, as well as experiences and life skills and knowledge that will help them (after they leave Southwest).”