2024 ACAC Men's Soccer Coaches of The Year
Grande Prairie, AB (October 24, 2024) –
North Male Coach of the Year | JEFF PAULUS | NAIT Ooks:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is proud to announce Jeff Paulus of the NAIT Ooks has been named the 2024 ACAC Men’s Soccer North Coach of the Year.
For the second time in three years, Jeff Paulus has been named the ACAC Men's Soccer Coach of the Year, solidifying his reputation as one of the top coaches in the conference. Under Paulus' leadership, the NAIT Ooks continued their dominance in the ACAC, finishing the 2024 season with an impressive 9-1-2 record and leading the league with 36 goals scored. This season's success further cements the Ooks' position as strong contenders in the conference.
Paulus is no stranger to the NAIT Ooks program, having first coached the men's team in 2004 before a successful stint with FC Edmonton. During his time with FC Edmonton, Paulus advanced from the Academy's lead coach to the head coach of the senior professional team in the Canadian Premier League. After departing FC Edmonton in 2020, Paulus returned to NAIT in 2021, initially coaching the women's soccer program before transitioning back to the men's side in 2022. Since then, he has led the Ooks to consistent top-tier finishes in the ACAC North Division.
With a career that includes coaching at the Canada Soccer National Training Centre and involvement in various provincial programs, Paulus has demonstrated an ability to develop teams and talent at every level. His leadership and strategic approach have been key to the Ooks' continued success, and his Coach of the Year title in 2024 is a testament to his lasting impact on the program.
"We are extremely proud to have Jeff lead our men's soccer program. He has worked hard to make sure his program is as much about academic success as it is about soccer, all the while keeping the team near the top of the standings. Jeff is very deserving of this award, and we are excited to see what's next for the NAIT men's soccer program," said Jordan Richey, the Director of Athletics & Recreation at NAIT.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2024 ACAC Men's Soccer Championship hosted by Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
South Male Coach of the Year | ADMIR SARCEVIC | Red Deer Kings:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is proud to announce Admir Sarcevic, Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Kings Soccer Head Coach, as the 2024 ACAC Men’s Soccer South Coach of the Year.
“I want to congratulate Admir on receiving this prestigious ACAC recognition,” says Randy Stewart, Manager, Athletics and Student Life at RDP. “In addition to his exceptional soccer knowledge, Admir has done an outstanding job assembling and guiding a competitive and talented team that finished first in the ACAC South Division.”
Through Sarcevic’s leadership, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings earned an impressive 6-2-2 record (20 points) during the 2024/2025 ACAC regular season.
This year, Sarcevic strategically recruited nine new players to complement eight returning student-athletes. Along with featuring four student-athletes from Red Deer, the Kings Soccer team also has six members who competed with the Calgary Foothills Soccer Club, creating familiarity and cohesion.
With the first place finish during the regular season, the RDP Kings earned a bye to the ACAC Men’s Soccer semi-finals on Saturday, October 26 at 5:30 pm. The Kings will face the winner between the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks and Keyano College Huskies at Hansen Lincoln Field in Grande Prairie.
This distinguished award will be recognized at the 2024 ACAC Soccer Championship Dinner hosted by the Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves on October 24.
– 30 –
About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Beers, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca