April 29, 2009
(release courtesy of Kerry Kahl, Cornell College sports information director)

MOUNT VERNON, IOWA . . . Derek Bell has been named Cornell College’s head men’s and women’s soccer coach.

Bell, a 1994 graduate of Knox College, has more than 15 years experience as a coach and collegiate player. He’s been an assistant women’s coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point the past two seasons, which included consecutive trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament Sweet 16.

Bell played four seasons at Knox and was an all-conference forward as a senior. He fondly remembers Cornell during his college career when the Rams were a fellow member of the Midwest Conference.

“I’ve always had the highest respect and appreciation for the quality of education that is shown to the growth of the students at Cornell,” Bell said. “I’ve always wanted to be a part of that atmosphere and be an active participant with the students. This is a perfect opportunity to achieve that and fully immerse myself in soccer. That alone is a dream.

“I’ve been impressed with everyone I’ve met at Cornell. This only encourages my desire to be a part of the Cornell athletic department.”

Bell replaces Michael Joyce, who held the position as Cornell’s Director of Soccer since November. The women’s team, which qualified for the Iowa Conference Tournament the past two seasons, finished 8-10 overall and 3-5 in league play last fall. The Cornell men were 3-13 overall, 1-7 in the IIAC in 2008.

“We enter a new and exciting era in our soccer program with the hire of our first full-time Director of Soccer,” Cornell Director of Athletics John Cochrane said. “I couldn’t be more excited about the commitment and professionalism that Derek brings to our program. I am absolutely certain he is the right person at the right time for this program.”

Bell, 37, worked full-time as the administrative team leader for the National Wellness Institute in Stevens Point and served as the secretary for the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association. He’s been on the Wisconsin Olympic Development Program coaching staff since 2004, primarily leading Central Wisconsin district trainings and attending regional camps as a staff coach and working with the Centers for Excellence program.

Bell was Player Development Coordinator for Portage County Youth Soccer and head coach of the Stevens Point Soccer Club the past five years. He was recently appointed Iowa State Technical Coordinator for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Bell earned a bachelor’s degree from Knox in 1994 with a double major in Sociology/Anthropology and Political Science. He is currently pursuing a master’s in Human and Community Resources at UW-Stevens Point. Bell received a Premier Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 2008.

Bell enjoyed a successful stint at UW-Stevens Point, helping guide the women’s team to national rankings in 2007 and 2008. The Pointers claimed regular season and tournament titles in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference last fall. The team also set a 2008 record for not allowing a goal in conference play.

Bell was head varsity boys coach at Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) from 2001-07. His team won two conference and regional titles and was a sectional finalist in 2006. Bell coached the North squad in the 2005 Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Masonic Foundation senior all-star game. He worked four seasons as an assistant with Stevens Point’s girls’ soccer team, including the Panthers’ state tournament run in 2002.

Prior to coming to Stevens Point, Bell coached with the Norman Celtic and Moore Milan select clubs in Oklahoma for three seasons.

“I’ve had an extensive amount of experience coaching both men’s and women’s soccer,” Bell said. “I’m real excited for the opportunity to help Cornell grow on its past success. I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of both programs and the entire Cornell culture.”

Bell played on the UW-Stevens Point Men’s Soccer Club from 1997-99, earning first team all-tournament honors in 1998. At Knox, Bell competed in soccer and track and field and was also a member on the school’s lacrosse club team.

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