September 3, 2009
(release courtesy of Kerry Kahl, Cornell College sports information director)

MOUNT VERNON, IOWA . . .Cornell College’s first-year Director of Soccer Derek Bell has been appointed State Technical Coordinator for all of Iowa by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Bell becomes a chief educator and promoter for the NSCAA, the largest single-sport coaches association in the world with 26,000 active members. He will coordinate the delivery of education courses across the state while helping train and teach staff members on all aspects of the game.

"This is a wonderful growth opportunity to promote the NSCAA and work with the best soccer coaches across the state," said Bell, who officially assumed the new position Sept. 1. "This is an opportunity to raise the level of education programs and awareness training methods at the NSCAA at all levels."

Bell has been involved with the NSCAA for some time, going through coaching education programs and attending national academy schools. He earned a Premier Diploma with a Distinguished Pass from the NSCAA in June 2008. It is the highest level course, by invitation only, that is offered in the NSCAA.

"It is very rare for a person to get through the course and obtain a Premier Diploma," said Doug Williamson, Assistant Director of Coaching Education for the NSCAA. "Derek is a very strong teacher of the game. That's really the key thing. He understands the difference between coaching players and coaching coaches. We're looking for excellence in coaching education and this augments what he’s doing professionally."

Bell, 37, is one of the youngest State Technical Coordinators in the country, although Williamson added "It's not unusual for someone of his ability level. We're thrilled to have him in Iowa. When I heard he was coming to Iowa, there was no doubt who I wanted in this position."

Bell, a 1994 graduate of Knox College, has more than 15 years experience as a coach and collegiate player. He was 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 took over Cornell's men's and women's soccer programs in April 2009. The men's team opened the season Wednesday against Mount Mercy. The Cornell women take the field for the first time Thursday against Mount Mercy.

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