Things are even busier once each season is over, Rockwood says, as all the things she must put off throughout the fall catch up to her. There was no lighted path, and there were no signs or obvious markers. I used to drive the team around in a fifteen-passenger vanjust me and fourteen high school boys. Video unavailable Watch on YouTube Watch on Universe Live Sports One penalty kick. You are loved, appreciated, and valued more than you will ever know. Ive been there, done that. Besides, she points out, despite everything she and her teams have accomplished over the yearsconference championships, tournament appearances, and top-tier rankingssome goals remain unmet. I wish she were here to sing it, but the lyrics include the following: Ive made my choice Legends: Season 2. We know and have been taught that the light leads us through this journey. And they needed one kick to seal it. In 1996 and 2012, Rockwood was also Region Coach of the Year. Rockwood has an impressive 407-118-45overall record for her career. As we follow the example of the Savior, ours will be the opportunity to be a light, as it were, in the lives of those around uswhether they be our own family members, our coworkers, mere acquaintances, or total strangers. We want the Spirit of [the] Lord to be with us in order for us to live our religion, fulfill our mission as [sisters and] elders inIsrael, and do the will of Godto fulfill this great, high calling in the building up of this kingdom. However, when she came back to Provo, an opportunity arose to work for BYU athletics when she took on the role of womens sports publicist. She coached players into All-Americans. In that time she amassed an overall record of 128-25-9. Unfortunately, due to BYUs recent start as a NCAA sanctioned team, the relatively unknown WAC teams that BYU played against, and the limitation of only 48 teams that entered the tournament, the Cougars did not play in the NCAA tournament that year. One of my favorite songs is titled I Will and is written and performed by Hilary Weeks. Bertoch fell in love with the game and now she had an opportunity to change her view on soccer forever, as something more than just a mans sport. Do good anyway. But at the head of it all was coach Rockwood. The Lady Cougars have compiled a 16-1-1 record on the year and look to be in good shape to win the West Coast Conference championship and make a run in the NCAA playoffs. So much of the time, we need that little spark to keep us going.. BYU regularly maintains a consistent Top 25 ranking. The Lake Oswego, Oregon, native was a four-sport athlete in high school playing soccer, softball, basketball and track. "Jen does a really great job of making every play feel cared for, that they matter, and that it's about them," said Colette Jepson Smith, the former Davis High standout who played three seasons at BYU and is now the head coach at Rowland Hall and Wasatch Soccer Club. But I think for me personally, I was like maybe this is what I am supposed to be doing because it doesnt make sense that we are having all of this success.. Some may have been talking about Michael Jordans recent un-retirement and his upcoming return to the powerhouse Chicago Bulls. If Santa Clara wins, the final will be played Sunday at 6 p.m. MT but moved to Monday at 6 p.m. MT if BYU wins because of the Cougars' no-Sunday play policy. Generally speaking, however, it was also seen as a male sport. Check it out online at speeches.byu.edu. Her daughter had found new motivation, inspiration, and direction. Im not here to just win games, she says. Bertoch, a native of Chile, came to the US and went to school at BYU. I thought she was young, Bertoch said. I had some pretty strong, successful women coaches that were my administrators as we started the program, Rockwood said. And thats led the way for younger players to come through and wanna reach the success.. After a back and forth match which saw the Cougars outshoot the Seminoles 9-7 including a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal both teams remained scoreless. Help people anyway. The girls did a great job, and toward the end of the week she was much more engaged in the training and seemed to be having a lot of fun with her team. She is the only coach the school recognizes since the club joined NCAA competition in 1995. Photos by Bradley Slade, Marriott Alumni Magazine Jennifer Rockwood, BYU. Both loved the game, but neither had any prior experience in helping a soccer team adjust to a new, higher level of play. In this experience and in life, the lighted path is not always easy to follow, but it is the only way to reach our desired destination. He wants so badly to help us reach our potential, and He will, if only we will let Him. But it forced me to be prepared.. Having grown up in and around competitive soccer, which included teams with men on the field as well, Rockwood had overcome many obstacles to that point as a player and coach. [1] Early life The event starts in Logan and winds through the Wasatch Back to finish in Park City. I know that I will not necessarily tell you anything you havent heard before, but I hope that I might remind you of what you have always known and of what can so easily be forgotten in our demanding lives. And then comes the summer, when she oversees BYUs soccer camps, which bring more than 2,700 children and teens to campus over a period of seven weeks. Rockwood previously earned the honor in 2012, 2014 and 2018. Although the initial group of players, coaches, trainers and managers in comparison to todays staff and roster were small to start, the voices that this small group carried were loud and supportive. BYU and Florida State traded goals back and forth, with a few occasional misses sprinkled in. "I have known Ellie since she was very young, and I have watched her development over the years. This was her program now. The pain of being so close to winning it all must have hurt, but as she normally does, Rockwood could only think about how much this meant to her players, especially to her two seniors Colohan and Tucker. The team won 22 games the following season, losing only once, and won the Western Athletic Conference title. To take His name, I will be strong My thought was I was going to get this club team to the point of where and if we do transition to an NCAA status that we will be ready and be prepared so that BYU isnt just starting at ground zero, Rockwood said. It was not an easy journey for her, and there were many times when she knew it would be easier somewhere else. Despite a new office filled with awards, Rockwood cant help but feel grateful. While their initial season was not perfect with some bumps along the way, the team finished with 11 wins and a winning record. Each team member runs three different routes, and the whole team runs a total of more than 180 miles. "I have known Ellie. Jennifer Rockwood delivered a BYU devotional address titled Drawn to the Light on 15 March 2016. They will spend countless hours together at practices, in the weight room, and on the road throughout almost every weekend during the season and the summer. If Rockwood knows one thing, it's recruiting, and she certainly knows how to mine the state's top soccer prospects and turn several of them into professionals. I love to share it at every possible opportunity. These athletes include Shauna Rohbock, Katie Larkin, Jaime Rendich Beck, Aleisha Rose, Michelle Jensen,Lindsi Lisonbee Cutshall, Michele Vasconcelos, Ashley Hatch, Cameron Tucker and Mikayla Colohan. When you seek after the light by surrounding yourself with positive and great individuals, you provide yourself with more opportunities to learn and grow. Then, in 1995, the university officially sanctioned Division I Womens Soccer and began searching for someone to head up its new team. So I took the shorter run. I am fifty-four years old, and in all my life I never was interested in watching any sports on TV. I know mine does. BYU, in part due to Title IX legislation, began its search to field another competitive womens team to add to its growing collection that already featured the likes of basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. I have a lot of support around me and an amazing staff that has helped me in my job.". I loved it. Zhao snuck the ball past Smith, and the Seminoles stormed the field, having clinched the national championship. After my first run of nearly six miles, I was okay, but it had been really hard and I had gone pretty slow. It is what we have been taught and counseled to do. Other crucial figures came to help, as Carolyn Billings and Robyn Smith-Bretzing both joined the program in 1995. Entering the 1995 school year, the talk around BYUs campus could have been split between many different things. Im not worthy enough or strong enough. This is one way wecan search for the light. I have the opportunity several times throughout the yearwhether at practice, before a game, or at halftimeto try to motivate, inspire, and remind the girls of what they are capable of and how amazing they are. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Which voices do we let in? I was pretty good at basketball, but I was short for how I played, she says. What an amazing opportunity it is to stand before you today. In 2019, Rockwood and her staff were recognized as the United Soccer Coaches Regional Staff of the Year. Two days after the BYU match, Marvin Richardson spoke to the NBC affiliate in Dallas-Fort Worth and referenced his wife when he said, "We grew up in Fort Worth during the 1960s and 70s during. BYU Women's Soccer (@byusoccer_w) September 10, 2021 BYU is another prestigious women's soccer program that longtime head coach Jennifer Rockwood leads. [The BYU Experience, BYU devotional address, 4November 1997]. I think the seniors realize how much effort she's put into the program, the time to get us the right gear and everything else. Be kind to yourself so that you can be kind toothers. "It's all of those things and then, they've managed to stay mostly healthy.". She was born in Provo and raised in Lake Oswego, Oregon, with four younger brothers. I feel like I have the dream job, she says. Do the hard things. "Right now, I feel we are playing our best soccer.". The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. [I Will, Every Step (Shadow Mountain Records: 2011)]. There was BYU's head coach, seated across from a teenager who couldn't stop asking questions. In one of BYU's most successful seasons, 2012, the Cougars were ranked as high as No. American Fork's Ellie Walbruch, who helped UCLA win a Women's College Cup national championship last year, joins the show to talk about her decision to transfer home and play for BYU women's soccer, her relationship with longtime head coach Jennifer Rockwood, and the Cougars' first season in the Big 12 Conference. An alumna of BYU, she's led the program to six Sweet 16 appearances and the Elite Eight three times, including back in 2019. Would someone who doesnt know you know that you have the light within you? Soon after, a couple of runners came in behind me and thanked me for leading them to the end. All of these emotions leave us vulnerable, questioning, and sometimes searching for easy fixes. She hustled to stay ahead of her students, reviewing all of the course material at home to make sure she was well prepared. Love yourself so that you can love others. Turning the Key: Kelsey Turnbow has 11 goals to lead a Santa Clara offense that averages 1.8 goals on 16.5 shots per game. archived form does not constitute a republication of the story. As President Monson stated, we want to be a light even to total strangers.. After one yearincluding a frigid winterin Rexburg, Idaho, Rockwood made the leap to BYU. Pure Offense: BYU leads the nation in shots (24.5/match) and ranks second in shots on goal (10.2/match) for an NCAA-high 3.50 goals per match. Practice or not, it didnt matter to her or the team. [9] In 2021 Rockwood led the Cougars to their first ever College Cup. Rock said gaining a following for soccer was extremely difficult for the womens team. Jennifer Rockwood stepped onto BYUs South Field and gazed numbly across the green turf. Player of the Year: Mikayla Colohan, BYU Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Loera, Santa Clara Goalkeeper of the Year: Amber Michel, San Diego Freshman of the Year: Izzy D'Aquila, Santa Clara Coach of the Year: Jennifer Rockwood, BYU 2019 ALL-WCC WOMEN'S SOCCER FIRST TEAM Another important step for Rockwood was surrounding herself with mentors who inspired and believed in her, including womens tennis coach Ann Valentine, who was her supervisor for a time, and womens volleyball coach and womens athletic director Elaine Michaelis. Are you an example of the Savior in your words, thoughts, and actions? I can do this. I will be strong Its kind of weird, huh? Rockwood said, noting all of the accomplishments over her wall, But when you kinda think about it, we feel very blessed. 1 Stanford. Legends Brandon Doman. Sara Sparhawk and Lyn Johnson find joy in bringing entrepreneurial opportunities to women everywhere through their company West Tenth. She's not just a coach, but the mom of our team, making sure everyone is good. One of the loudest and most supportive was that of Bertoch. She had considered getting a degree in education when she first came to BYU, and she had taken a slew of humanities classes as an undergradI probably had enough for a minor, except I didnt speak another language, she says. And I will not change In 27 years as the Cougars head coach, Rockwoods resume includes seven Coach of the Year awards, 13 total conference titles and 27 All-Americans. After three years of teaching PE for Meridian, Rockwood went to the headmaster and asked for a chance to try teaching in the classroom. Does your life seem too busy at times? While Rockwood was tackling her business degree in the Tanner Building, she was also picking up additional training around the practice field. Jennifer Rockwood (born September 20, 1966) is an American soccer coach, and the head coach for the BYU Cougars women's soccer team, a position she has held since 1989. "I didn't always appreciate it when I played, but I sure do now. I was young, I was cheap, and I had been here, so I knew a little bit about the soccer community.. . 24:58 mins Follow Jennifer Rockwood, a four-year starter for BYU women's soccer, through her illustrious career as a player and coach. To me it emphasizes the importance of making a personal commitment to stay strong in our faith. Rockwood decided to give the junior college, now BYUIdaho, a shot. . As it says in the thirteenth article of faith, If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things (Articles of Faith 1:13). (Courtesy BYU Photo) She built up the program from an extramural sport into an elite NCAA competitor. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. On the national scene, her teams have made 22 appearances in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Sweet Sixteen in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2012, 2016, 2019 and 2021. "We had our fair share of [scoring] opportunities," said Colohan after the game. 15 player in the country when she signed with the Bruins. I mentioned that maybe they should just spend a little more time with her, get to know her, and sit with her at lunch or dinner. [Stand Ye in Holy Places: Selected Sermons and Writings of President HaroldB. Lee (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974), 115]. Studied Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. [3] Early life [ edit] BYU women's soccer coach Jennifer Rockwood, who has led the program since it joined Division I 25 years ago, addresses her team after a 4-0 exhibition victory against Colorado College on Aug.. [7] Rockwood began to have immediate success. Which voices can drown out the darkness and fill our minds and souls with the light? It actually came to a point at which I had to make the decision to ask her to leave the team. Always ready for a challenge, Rockwood has seen a pattern in her life of receiving unexpected opportunities, growing to meet them, and then receiving more. I just believe so much in BYU and what it has to offer young students and student athletes. Drawing a deep breath, the fledgling head coach set to work. Legends Jennifer Rockwood "But it's not just their mentality. So it was good that I had room to build, and do what I did, and they kind of left me to my own.. Sometimes the more progress we make toward the light, the more temptations may come. Her parents thought maybe it would be good for her to be around some members of the Church who also loved soccer. 2 and went undefeated in the WCC a juggernaut conference in women's soccer. More success followed Rockwood. Jennifer Rockwood was the head coach of the BYUwomens soccer team when she delivered thisdevotional address on 15 March 2016. In whatever we are involved with here at BYU, we can make a difference. What a blessing and unbelievable inspiration Jenavieve was to me, my staff, her teammates, and all those who knew her. Going into a PK is tough because you cant practice those, I mean you can, but you really cant, Rockwood said. It is our responsibility. ", A special moment to celebrate Jen between our @BYUwvolleyball, @byuwtennis, @byuwgolf, and @BYUTFXC head coaches pic.twitter.com/eUC8fGQbIS. So many amazing people have crossed my path over the years, as I am sure many have crossed yours. That major put me in positions where I was uncomfortable and forced me to do things beyond what I thought I could do, she recalls. Lets try it out.. Knowing she didnt have any Division I experience and not expecting to get the position, Rockwood applied, thinking, If I get it, it was meant to be; if not, Ill just keep teaching.. I am always drawn to the light in the beauty of Gods creations, in which I can find calmness, comfort, peace, and a deeper connection to my Heavenly Father and my Savior. During the run it was important to stay strong, positive, and confident, even though there were continual doubts. The question crosses her mind every few years, but she is adamant that if she were to depart, it wouldnt be for another coaching position. All I can do is try and pass on what I have learned.. minutes. 4) in the NCAA Tournament. Just so you know, I was the oldest on the team and by far the slowest runner. Uh, so how do we do that?. A powerhouse offense that consistently ranks among the top shot-takers in the country, Rockwood's teams aren't afraid to shoot. He searched for deeper meaning in his experiences, and he learned from some of lifes simple truths. We are here to build the kingdom of God and to help our family and friends reach their highest potential. It is truly one of the hardest and most time-consuming aspects of our job, but it is also one of the most rewarding because we have the opportunity to recruit some of the finest young women who are playing at the highest level in their sport. The best advice I've ever gotten about coaching is. With one final try gifted by the NCAA's free season of eligibility before scattering to various professional careers Colohan has already been drafted by the NWSL's Orlando Pride, and Moore delayed graduation until December for this season the Cougars did just that. We have done everything that most coaches could ever want, she says. We want to play at the highest level, win championships, and be nationally relevant so that people will know who we are and what we represent. BYU had veteran coaches running its womens athletics, but soccer was a young sport in the state at the time, and Rockwoods experience with the club team set her apart. Each team spends more than thirty hours together with no sleep, not much food, and few rest spots. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a [Kent M. Keith, The Paradoxical Commandments (1968), kentmkeith.com/commandments.html; see also Kent M. Keith, The Mother Teresa Connection, kentmkeith.com/mother_teresa.html; Kent M. Keith, The Silent Revolution in the Seventies: Dynamic Leadership in the Student Council (Washington, DC: National Association of Secondary School Principals, 1972), 8]. Devotional Drawn to the Light Jennifer Rockwood March 15, 2016 Audio 0:00/34:50 Speed 36:47 Full Video Highlight Video Are you lighting the way for others? Rockwood has guided the Cougars to 13regular season conference championships and eight conference tournament championships during her tenure. Over the last 25seasons at the helm of the BYU women's soccer program, Rockwood has accumulated a .714winning percentage. 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