University of Houston Athletics
Sarah Heggen Named Assistant Soccer Coach
3/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
March 5, 2007
Sarah Heggen, a former standout goalkeeper at Illinois, was named assistant soccer coach Monday, head coach Bill Solberg announced.
Heggen, who spent the previous two years in the UH athletics compliance office, will be responsible for coaching the team's goalkeepers while also having administrative duties involving the day-to-day operations of the program.
"Sarah is an incredible goalkeeping trainer," Solberg said. "She's played the position at a very high level and can really teach the girls the proper technique of the position. Her impact has already helped are goalkeepers take tremendous strides forward. It's amazing that in just a month's work our goalies are already improved and back on the right track."
Her duties in the compliance office included coordinating the monitoring efforts on all recruiting activities, assisting coaching staffs in documenting playing and practice season information and providing assistance in the distribution and monitoring of all financial aid provided to more than 400 student-athletes. Heggen also monitored recruiting by maintaining records of prospective students and interpreted NCAA rules and regulations.
"To have the opportunity to return to a Division I soccer program is wonderful," Heggen said. "I am excited for the opportunity to work with Bill (Solberg) and Susan (Bush), as I have a great deal of respect for both. I feel that my experience as both a player and coach will help this program continue to grow. I am grateful and honored to have this opportunity."
During the 2004-05 academic year she served as a Teaching Fellow for the Department of Health and Human Performance, teaching courses that included topics such as Movement Activities for Children, Soccer and Running Activities.
Heggen graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in December of 2002 earning a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with honors. She also has been published in an article entitled "Adapted Physical Education," in the fall 2003 edition of the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance journal. She received her Master's in Physical Education and Sports Administration from the University of Houston in May 2006.
She played soccer at Illinois for two seasons before sustaining a career-ending injury and was twice recognized as an Academic All Big Ten selection. She also participated in Home Town Heroes, which involves student-athletes speaking to local schools and coached for the Little Illini Soccer club for two years. She also coached for the Infinity Soccer Club of Dallas.
Heggen obtained her National "D" coaching license from the United States Soccer Federation and level 1 and 2 Goalkeeper License from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
"In the office Sarah brings a recruiting edge," Solberg said. "She is extremely organized, honest, hardworking and loyal. It was a no-brainer to hire someone with such high integrity and work rate. The office life has already changed and she is a breath of fresh air."
