FGCU names first-ever women's soccer coach

Florida Gulf Coast University athletic director Carl McAloose named Jim Blankenship as the first-ever women's soccer head coach Monday. The Eagles' first soccer season will begin fall of 2007, but Blankeship will start his duties in July. He recently completed his third season as assistant women's soccer coach at Florida Atlantic University, where his team won back-to-back Atlantic Sun Conference championships.

This experience is what McAloose said made Blankenship a perfect fit for this position.

“He is a proven winner with a strong track record of leading start-up programs to national prominence," McAloose said. "He knows what it takes to be successful in the Atlantic Sun Conference and we think he can develop a strong program at FGCU, both in the classroom and on the field, very quickly.”

Blankenship is excited about the opportunity to help the Eagles begin their legacy.

“I came away impressed with the vision and commitment of the university and I like the challenge of developing a new program. It will be a big responsibility but we have a blueprint in place to do it.," Blankenship said. "FGCU is a hidden secret in soccer but I look forward to getting it started.”