 SFEA Director of Coaching for Boys, Leonard Griffin SAN FRANCISCO, CA. APRIL 25, 2019--The San Francisco Elite Academy announced today that Leonard Griffin, recently named Men's Head Soccer Coach at the University of San Francisco, has joined SFEA as the Director of Coaching for Boys. Griffin will lead the Academy's boys program and its coaching staff as well as contribute his significant technical and college pathway expertise to benefit all the club's players. Coach Griffin, who holds a USSF ‘A’ license, also joins a staff of 15 A and B licensed coaches, affording SFEA players and teams a level of technical coaching expertise and experience entirely unmatched in the San Francisco Bay Area.
"The addition of Leonard to our coaching staff shows our commitment to providing the very best player development environment," said Joe Dugan, President of the San Francisco Elite Academy. "Our goal has been and remains producing the best outcomes for our players, families, coaches & teams. Leonard has been successful everywhere he’s been. We’re looking forward to having lots of success with Leonard now as part of SFEA." Griffin arrives in San Francisco from the University of Portland where he served three years as an assistant coach for the men's soccer program. In his first season as the Pilots' assistant coach, Griffin helped guide the team to a 2016 West Coast Conference Championship. He coached three Far West Region Team players and MLS players: Benji Michel (Orlando City), Paul Christensen (Atlanta United), Kris Reaves (FC Dallas) and Rey Ortiz (1st Team).Prior to joining the Portland staff, he spent two years at UCLA where the Bruins advanced to the NCAA College Cup finals in 2014. Griffin coached nine all-Pac-12 players, including 2014 MAC Hermann Trophy winner Leo Stoltz and 2015 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Jose Hernandez. Griffin spent a season as an assistant coach at California in 2013, guiding Cal to a NCAA Quarterfinals appearance. At the time, the Golden Bears received the No. 4 overall ranking in the NCAA, which was the highest ranking in school history. Prior to Cal, Griffin spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Saint Mary's. There, he led the Gaels to the NCAA Elite Eight and a WCC Championship in 2011. Griffin attended UCLA from 2000-03. The 2003 All-American honoree led the Bruins to an NCAA title in 2002. Following his college career, Griffin spent six seasons with the Chicago Fire (2004-06), the Columbus Crew (2007-08), and the Los Angeles Galaxy (2006) while also playing professionally for the Portland Timbers (2007-08). About the San Francisco Elite Academy (SFEA) The San Francisco Elite Academy (SFEA) is the top college placement youth soccer program in San Francisco, in just four years we have over 30 former players now competing in college soccer. We are developing the next generation of players to the highest standards, ensuring they receive the necessary training and support to successfully represent San Francisco at the highest level of play, our community, and our country.
San Francisco, CA, April 10, 2019—The San Francisco Nighthawks, a founding member of the WPSL , a second tier women's league just under the NWSL and the largest amateur women’s soccer league in the world, and the San Francisco Elite Academy (SFEA) announced today a groundbreaking partnership to create a local player pathway for female soccer talent. The two organizations will work closely together to advance their common goal of growing women’s soccer in the city of San Francisco while promoting health and wellness to a wide audience of youth through soccer, the beautiful game.
The new partnership has several important features: By collaborating on female soccer player development, the SF Nighthawks and SFEA will create a clear player pathway for girls from the youth playing level to college to the Women's Premier Soccer League. SFEA’s female players will now have the opportunity to represent themselves and their city at the top amateur level as they prepare for college soccer play and beyond. Through the two organizations cooperation, the program also gives female players needed exposure to the highest levels of play and coaching while allowing local players to benefit from guidance and mentorship from current college players and coaches. “We are beyond honored to partner with The San Francisco Elite Academy and help mentor these young talented players, giving them the opportunities to play at the highest level and grow as players” said the Nighthawks General Manager, Jill Lounsbury. "The Nighthawks fought hard for 4 years for the Beach Chalet fields for all soccer players but mainly to help our best home-grown players in San Francisco. We were pleased beyond belief when SFEA started, because we knew how important it would be for the city's youth players." Joe Dugan, SFEA President, shared in the excitement about working with the Nighthawks: "From league titles to tournament wins to seeing players move on to college programs, our SFEA girls' players and teams have enjoyed unprecedented success these past few years. Through our partnership with San Francisco Nighthawks, we are delighted to offer the girls and young women in our program a level of top, local play that inspires and drives them toward successful soccer careers." In addition, the two organizations will promote their activities, events, and initiatives through their various communications channels to their thousands of members and followers. SF Elite and SF Nighthawks will also host joint volunteer and social events during the course of the year. Members of both organizations will be able to have fun together and give back to the community. Events will be announced very shortly. About the San Francisco Nighthawks The San Francisco Nighthawks is an American women's soccer team, founded in 1995. Nighthawks are a founding member of the WPSL, a second tier league just under the NWSL and the largest amateur women’s league in the world. The team plays in the North Division of the Pacific Conference. Nighthawk's home games are played at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, California. Nighthawks' Club Awards: 2018, 2017, and 2016 GGWSL Premier Champions. 2014 US Futsal National Champions. 3-peat Champions, Las Vegas Silver Mug Tournament (2009, 2010, 2011) - the first team to win the 'Silver Mug' three years in a row. About the San Francisco Elite Academy The San Francisco Elite Academy (SFEA) is the top college placement youth soccer program in San Francisco, in just four years we have over 30 former players now competing in college soccer. We are developing the next generation of players to the highest standards, ensuring they receive the necessary training and support to successfully represent San Francisco at the highest level of play, our community, and our country. |
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