Ouellette Named Head Coach of Soccer Mounties

Dr. Gene Ouellette has been named as the head coach of Mount Allison women's soccer program.

Mount Allison's department of athletics and recreation is pleased to announce that Dr. Gene Ouellette, professor and head of the University's psychology department, has been named head coach of the Mounties women's soccer program.

The Mounties head coach position became vacant when first year head coach Kevin Johnson informed the team that he would be leaving to pursue a work promotion. Coach Ouellette worked as an assistant coach with the Mounties Women's soccer program in 2013 and when the head coach position became available, he knew that it was something he wanted to pursue.

"I am both honoured and excited to be taking the reigns as head coach for the Mounties women's soccer program," says Ouellette. "I am very passionate about the game of soccer and its tactical intricacies and look forward to implementing my vision for establishing excellence on the soccer pitch. Mount Allison has long been recognized for its academic excellence and there is also a renewed commitment to excellence in athletics as embodied in the Mountie PRIDE credo of Passion, Relentlessness, Intelligence, Discipline, and Execution.

"Mount Allison offers a complete experience for the student athlete, and I am honoured to be part of that moving forward in establishing a highly competitive women's soccer program with a commitment to the principles of Mountie PRIDE."

Ouellette has a strong soccer background both as a coach and as a player. During his playing days he won three Atlantic Championships and played in three National Championships with the Dartmouth United Soccer Club before moving on to the University of Kings College. While at Kings, Ouellette earned team MVP honours and played in the CCAA national championship both years.

Prior to joining the Mounties coaching staff in 2013, Ouellette coached competitive senior men's soccer in the Ottawa region, he has coached U12 up to U18 teams at the youth level and he has coached competitively at the high school level. Most recently, Ouellette coached the Tantramar High School varsity boys team for the past six years, a 'AA' school which he guided to 3 'AAA' regional championship appearances, culminating in a silver medal performance at NB 'AAA' provincials in 2013. He also serves as President and technical director of Sackville Youth Soccer Association.

"In going through the interview process, it became immediately apparent the Coach Ouellette is the right choice to lead our Mounties program," commented Mounties director of athletics and recreation Pierre Arsenault. "Gene has proven leadership skills and he is passionate about building a women's soccer program that aligns very well with the overall vision for Mounties Athletics."

With his coaching appointment, Ouellette will begin a rare combination – being the head coach of a varsity program while also being a faculty member at the same institution. Ouellette is a professor and department head for the department of psychology at Mount Allison. He currently simultaneously holds both NSERC and SSHRC grants for research work he is doing on literacy skills.

The Mounties women's soccer team opens training camp on August 23rd under the direction of Coach Ouellette and his staff. The Mounties returned to the playoffs first the first time in 12 years in 2012 and they hosted the AUS Playoffs in 2013. With a strong core of returning players, ambitions are set on a third straight trip to the playoffs in 2014.