United Soccer Coaches elects Patton College professor to board

David Carr has been elected to the United Soccer Coaches Board of Directors

Dr. David Carr, Recreation and Sports Pedagogy associate professor, has been elected to the United Soccer Coaches Board of Directors.

“It has been an honor to be part of such a great association,” said Carr. “I look forward to serving on the board with such highly valued colleagues in shaping the future of United Soccer Coaches.”

Carr will serve a six-year term. He will hold the title of Vice President for four years, before serving one year as President and one as Immediate Past President. His appointment was announced at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago in January.

Founded in 1941, United Soccer Coaches is a trusted voice and partner for coaches at all levels of the game. With more than 30,000 members, United Soccer Coaches is the largest community for soccer coaches in the world and elevates the game through advocacy, education, and service.

“I’ve been a member for 45 years, and I’ve watched this association grow,” said Carr, who joined United Soccer Coaches in 1974 while a student at the University of Maine. “We have really good coaching-education courses for the advanced coach and the advanced player. I’m more interested in building better models and better programs for the youth coach.”

Carr’s background will certainly help in that endeavor, as he has extensive experience in curriculum design, instructional methodology, and online learning. He developed The Patton College’s master’s degree program in coaching education in 2001 and designed the curriculum for online delivery in 2008. He is also responsible for the Online Master’s Degree in Soccer Coaching program at Ohio University – the only sport-specific master’s program in the United States – which he developed in conjunction with United Soccer Coaches.

“Coaching methodology and the theory behind it, I think, are really important,” said Carr. “Much of my focus in the last 20 years has been more on the youth level, developing a better framework for youth coaches and creating a better environment for players so the kids get off to a good start and enjoy the game.”

Carr, in fact, is developing the National Youth Diploma course, which helps youth coaches structure ideal soccer environments for children aged 4-12. The course will be unveiled this spring.

The United Soccer Coaches Board of Directors is comprised of 10 members of the association, including six individuals elected by the membership, three at-large representatives appointed by the President, and the Advocacy Council Chair. United Soccer Coaches CEO Lynn Berling-Manuel is a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.

Carr’s coaching career spans more than 40 years and includes all levels of the game, including recreation and competitive youth, club, interscholastic, intercollegiate, and professional teams.

“I believe in an athlete-centered approach for kids that gives them an opportunity to engage in the game on their terms,” said Carr. “The coach acts as more as a facilitator, creates the right environment, and involves the kids in a lot of the decisions that go into how they play.”

Ultimately, Carr is proud to represent United Soccer Coaches – and The Patton College – in his new role.

“The support of my colleagues in The Patton College has been important in providing opportunities such as this, and I am very proud of the coaching education program we have been able to develop both on the Athens campus and in online formats,” said Carr. “We have a tremendous faculty who have outstanding credentials as players, coaches, and coaching educators. We also have very dedicated students who will help grow the game at all levels.” 

Carr’s coaching career spans more than 40 years.