George Arroyo Named Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Eastern Nazarene
QUINCY, Mass.- Eastern Nazarene College Director of Athletics Dr. Brad Zarges has announced the hiring of George Arroyo Jr. as head women's soccer coach. Arroyo joins the Eastern Nazarene staff as the eighth head coach in program history after a five-year stint as head coach at Warner University in Lake Wales, Florida.
"On behalf of our staff and colleagues across the campus, I am excited to have Coach Arroyo and his wife, Bethany, join the ENC family. George brings excellent experience as a women's soccer coach and former standout athlete. His desire to impact students as a coach and faculty member fulfills all that we have desired in this search," said Zarges.
"I feel incredibly blessed to be afforded the opportunity to coach and mentor the women's soccer program at ENC. I would like to thank Dr. Brad Zarges, Dr. Corlis McGee, Jeff Kirksey, Kellee Birnstiel, Dr. Timothy Wooster, Dr. Linda Scott and the entire leadership committee, for their investment throughout the process. I would also like to thank the women's soccer program for making my family feel welcome. The warmth I received during my visit left a positive and lasting impression," commented Arroyo. "I'm excited to connect with each student-athlete and begin the groundwork for years to come. I'm looking forward to creating a culture of excellence, hard work and leadership as we continue to pursue Christ in our efforts to reach new heights on the pitch, and in the classroom. I want players who attend ENC to have an enjoyable and meaningful soccer experience, while moving towards academic and personal goals."
In his tenure at Warner, Arroyo guided the Royals to 28 wins and led the team to its first-ever NCCAA Regional Tournament and NCCAA National Tournament in 2015.
He was named the NCCAA Division I South Region Coach of the Year in 2015 while two student-athletes received NCCAA All-America plaudits under his tutelage.
Arroyo also cultivated success off the pitch at Warner as the Royals garnered NAIA Scholar-Team honors, which recognizes programs owning a team GPA of 3.0 or higher, in each of his five seasons. His team also volunteered with various community organizations such as Lighthouse Ministries, The Lake Wales Care Center, and the Lake Wales Rotary Club.
Prior to his arrival at Warner, Arroyo served as an assistant men's soccer coach at Southeastern University for two years and also as the head boys' varsity coach at Citrus Park Christian School.
Arroyo has also coached at the club soccer level with Everton Futbol Club and FC Tampa Futbol Club at various age groups from under-12 up through under-19.
A 2008 graduate of Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in Psychology with a minor in Church Ministry, Arroyo was a standout player for the Fire. As a senior, he earned All-America first team accolades and all-region first team honors as Southeastern made a run to the NCCAA Regional title and the NCCAA National Championship match.
Arroyo helped the Fire capture the NCCAA National Championship and NCCAA Regional Championship as a junior while also garnering all-region first team honors.
"I am delighted that George Arroyo is joining the ENC community. His track record and heart for developing students on the field, in the classroom, and beyond will bolster our missional efforts to foster holistic development and impactful lives of service for our students," stated Jeff Kirksey, Vice President for Student Development. "We are eager to have George serving alongside our colleagues across campus as we help students discover all that God is calling them to be at ENC and well beyond."
He completed his Master of Sport Science degree from the United States Sports Academy in 2016 and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration from Warner University.
Arroyo holds an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma.
Eastern Nazarene ended the 2016 campaign with a 3-14-1 overall record and has reached the Commonwealth Coast Conference playoffs five times in the past six seasons.