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Thursday, January 13, 2022 – 05:30 PM
Natasha Ademakinwa has been named the Director of Soccer at Shawnee State University. Ademakinwa will be the Head Coach for both the men’s and women’s soccer teams. She is replacing Ron Goodson, who retired from coaching after 23 years leading the SSU Bears.
Ademakinwa will also continue her role as an adjunct faculty member in the Sports Management Department teaching classes for SSU.
“We are excited to be able to have Natasha continue coaching and have her passion, experience, dedication, and leadership to help both our men’s and women’s programs,” SSU Athletic Director Jeff Hamilton said.
“Both teams have exceptional talent and we are confident in her ability to continue to build upon our success.”
Ademakinwa earned her Master’s Degree in Sports Science and Coaching Education from West Virginia University. She has a Bachelor of Sports Management from Ohio Valley University and a Bachelor of Psychology and Health Studies at the University of East London.
Ademakinwa came to Shawnee State as the Head Women’s Coach in 2018 after a successful stint as the Club Soccer Head Coach at WVU. She began coaching in 2001 and has earned her “B” Coaching License in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and is a member of the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association and the United Soccer Coaches Association.
In her four seasons at SSU Ademakinwa has earned a 27-42-1 record while continuing to bring in top-rated talent to compete in the Mid-South Conference.
“I would like to thank Vice-President Eric Braun and Athletic Director Jeff Hamilton for their belief in me and for giving me this opportunity to help continue to build the men’s program,” Ademakinwa said.
“I am excited to take on this challenge and look forward to working with a fantastic group of talented returning men’s and women’s soccer athletes.”
“This is a commitment from Shawnee State to build our men’s and women’s programs and provide the resources needed to compete in the NAIA and the Mid-South Conference,” Hamilton added. “We have restructured our coaching system to allow for additional coaching help.”
Dylan Whitehead will be promoted to Associate Head Coach for the men’s program to help with continuity following Ron Goodson’s retirement. Both Whitehead and Ademakinwa look forward to the opportunity and challenges of competing in the MSC.
“During these next 12-24 months my goal is to continue to build on the legacy of what Ron Goodson has brought and given to this program,” Ademakinwa said. “I look forward to working with Dylan and have confidence we’ll have great success together. Both teams return some exceptional talent and we can’t wait to get back to school so we can start preparing for a winning 2022 season.”
The men’s teams finished the 2021 campaign with a 5-12-1 mark.
Shawnee State University
Soccer Men’s
Soccer Women’s
Mid-South Conference
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