USA Success Stories
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Luke Winter
Luke graduated from TWU in 2012 where he received many individual accolades; AAC All-tournament Team, AAC Tournament MVP, AAC All-conference 1st Team, Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week, AAC Player of the Week, and NAIA All-East Region 1st Team. In his junior year he finished the season ranked #1 in nation for game winning goals, 3rd for goals per game, and 5th for total goals. As a team member Luke was part of the first TWU team to receive its first ever NAIA national ranking. He also won the regular season championship in 2010 and conference tournament in 2012. Luke believes his highest achievement at TWU was receiving the Athletic Directors award for helping turn the soccer program around.
After graduating with a double major in sports management and sports science Luke attended Shorter University as a graduate assistant for the men’s soccer team, where he earned his Masters in Business Administration. Helping the team to a 10-6-2 in 2013, a vast improvement from the 2012 record of 4-13-1. This winning season led Shorter to 3rd place in GSC and 11th nationally in the NCCAA.
Coach Winter Currently holds his USSF National C License, NSCAA National Diploma, FA Level 1 & 2 along with an FA Learning Disability coaching certificate.
Luke has also worked at various youth academies across TN and GA; McMinn United, North Georgia United, Middle Valley Soccer Association and currently for Chattanooga Football Club Academy
Furthermore as a player Luke has been part of the highly successful Chattanooga FC team for the past six summers. Competing in the NPSL, Luke has been part of the CFC teams that have won the South East Conference five times, South Region four times, and also made the national final three. He was individually named on the 2014 & 2016 All-NPSL XI, 2015 & 2016 All-NPSL Supporters XI, Lamar Hunt US open cup player of the second round, and is the CFC all time leading scorer.
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After enjoying three years' success as the Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Bryan College, Luke returned to TWU in 2017 as Head Men's Soccer Coach.
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Billy Sparks
Billy attended Tennessee Wesleyan University (2009-2013). He was made team captain in his sophomore year and helped them to their first Conference title in 10 years. He was also nominated to the All-Conference 1st Team of the Year. Sparks was again nominated to the All-Conference first team of the year during his junior season. Also, for the month of November 2012, he was nominated into the top 10 for best defenders in the nation for the NAIA. He unfortunately had to sit out during his senior year due to knee surgery, but helped coach the team to win the 2012 conference tournament and advance to the NAIA national tournament.
Sparks earned a double major in Sports Management and Exercise Science from Tennessee Wesleyan University.
During the summer of 2012 Billy played for Knoxville Force FC, a Professional Development League team in Tennessee.
Billy arrived at St Andrews’ University in August 2013 as Assistant Coach whilst studying for his Masters in the MBA programme. A vital member of the coaching set up, Billy contributed significantly to the success of the St. Andrews University men’s soccer team winning the AAC and reaching the NAIA national tournament in 2014. Academic success was achieved in February 2015 when Billy graduated as an MBA scholar with a GPA 3.85.
After completion of the MBA program, Billy returned home to the UK to teach at Uppingham Community College, simultaneously completing his FA Level 1 coaching qualification with the Leicestershire and Rutland FA, before returning to the United States to William Carey University where he is currently the Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach. The team became Southern States Conference Champions in October 2016 and are ranked No 15 in the nation.
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At William Carey University, Billy has full responsibility for the JV Soccer Team. He has also enjoyed great success coaching at Hattiesburg YFC in the local community. Billy is scheduled to graduate in 2018 with an MEd from William Carey University.