T-Bird Rising - Highline Community College Athletics

T-Bird Rising
18-2-2 Record in 2014.
No. 2 in the country in goals.
No. 2 in the country in goal differential.
No. 12 in the National Coaches Poll.
We are Highline! We are Family!
Join the Uprising!
N
ationally recognized as the most diverse school in the country, Highline (just
south of beautiful Seattle) features students from all over the world. On the
academic side, Highline also is nationally recognized as a top 50 college and No. 3 two-year college on the
West Coast and we have four-year degrees. We also have the
No. 1 athlete transfer rate on the West Coast.
While all of our professors have obtained their masters
and doctorate degrees, they also have real life job experiences
that they’re able to bring back to the classroom. For example,
our anthropology professor, Lonnie Sommer, spent 20 years as
an archeologist before coming back and starting his teaching
career. With that, Lonnie is able to relate his real work
experiences back into the classroom, where he doesn’t always have to teach from the book.
Also at Highline is the Central Washington University satellite campus where degrees through CWU are offered.
Often, classes for Highline and CWU are blended together
so it might be a CWU professor teaching it. Highline also
has professors who adjunct at the University of Washington,
“I CHOSE HIGHLINE BECAUSE I REALLY
Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University.
LIKE THE BEAUTY ON CAMPUS AND THE
Highline, built in 1961, recently converted from a
community college. It now has four-year degree programs in
MANY COURSE S THEY PROVIDE.”
Freshman Centerback Keli Wheatley from
Pleasanton, Calif. and Pleasanton Rage ECNL.
Applied Science and a four-year nursing program that is
nationally ranked, among other programs.
All classes at Highline are transferable under the Direct Transfer Agreement and are the exact same classes you’d be
taking anywhere in your first two years. For example, English 101 is the same as English 101 at the University of Washington.
The difference being it’s not with 300 students and costs significantly less.
O
ne of the top two-year soccer programs in the country, Highline has been
highly successful at sending players on to the four-year and D-I levels and
have sent four players on to the professional level.
In 2014, Highline finished with a national ranking of No. 12 and No. 2 on the West Coast. Highline was also No. 2 in the nation,
regardless of classification, out of 1,498 programs in both goals and goal differential.
With our coaching staff, we have more 80 D-I and D-II
connections to programs around the nation. Our current
players come from foreign national teams, regional and state
ODP and ECNL programs, among other high-level clubs.
Highline finished the 2014 season with a record of 18-2-2,
including a 3-3 draw against D-II Saint Martin’s University in
which SMU allowed its season high in goals allowed.
Highline’s home field and training facility is the
stadium at the Starfire Sports Complex, where the Seattle
Sounders train and play their U.S. Open Cup games. It’s
considered to be the top soccer facility on the West Coast
and one of the best in the country. It features eight turf
fields, five grass fields, three soccer tennis courts (small turf
soccer style tennis courts meant for 1v1 or 2v2), two indoor
turf fields, a soccer specific training and physical therapy
“HIGHLINE WAS THE PERFECT FIT!
GREAT CITY, GREAT SOCCER PROGRAM
AND GREAT EDUCATION.”
Freshman Outside Back Hayley Doss from Las
Vegas, Nev. and Las Vegas Premier Sports
Academy ECNL.
facility, soccer store, café and restaurant.
Next year, Highline is expecting a new field turf field and venue of their own on campus in a $2 million remodel.
This fall, our locker rooms, medical facility and team room all went under a $1.5 million renovation. The team room is
as nice as any PAC-12 school with a 24-seat theatre style room with a projection screen and game day locker room.
T
he team itself is a family in its truest sense. With 22 out-of-state players and all
but two out-of-area, the coaching staff puts a huge emphasis into family and
unity, and it’s paid off. The teams are closer than ever and have a lot of team bonding events throughout the
entire academic year. We emphasize character during the recruiting process and always make sure we have the right players
coming in, not only with their soccer ability, but as people.
Head coach Tom Moore has been with the program since 2006 and is one of the winningest active coaches in the
conference, only missing the playoffs once during his
time as a head coach.
Assistant coach Chris Wells has been with the program
for three years and is also an assistant coach for the
Seattle Reign, which features Hope Solo. He is also a
private trainer for some of the Seattle Reign players.
Goalkeeper coach, T.J. Young is considered one of the top
up-and-coming goalie coaches in the state, having been
trained under former U.S. National Team goalkeeper
coaches.
Outside of the season, the women’s soccer players
train five days a week with our personal training
department (No. 1 in the state) to ensure everyone is seeing
growth throughout the entire year and prepared to make
the jump to the D-I or D-II level. We also encourage players
to play in coed leagues at Starfire, where Seattle Reign,
Seattle Sounders, University of Washington, Seattle
“THE COACHING STAFF WAS VERY
FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING. I KNEW I
WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.
HIGHLINE IS MY HOME AWAY FROM
HOME.”
Freshman Midfielder Taylor Matas from Hilo,
Hawaii and Lanakila Soccer Club. .
University and Seattle Pacific University players are playing
in the offseason. Sounders Women and WPSL are also a possibility with the connections we have. We have four WPSL teams
within driving distance of campus.
I
n the classroom, Highline features an academic structure for athletes comparable to
any D-I program in the country.
Academic adviser, Laura Rosa, Highline has all athletes take study hall four days a week. During that
time, Laura has all athletes turn in their cell phones to
ensure its undisrupted study time. Laura also looks
over homework assignments and essays, and answers
any questions the athletes have. Athletes also sit in front
in their classrooms and have weekly attendance and
grade checks. We don’t take academics lightly and it’s
why we have the No. 1 athlete transfer rate on the West
Coast and No. 3 in overall athlete GPA.
Outside of study hall, Laura plans the
schedules for all athletes based off of their career ambitions, degree path and best classroom setting they learn in. It’s been a
very successful system.
Just a little about Laura, she was a D-I tennis athlete
“HIGHLINE FIT EXACTLY WHAT I WAS
LOOKING FOR. CALM, YET STRICT
COACHING STAFF, GREAT LOCATION
AND GREAT TEAM.”
Freshman Outside Back Kylee Wolfe from
Soldotna, Alaska.
at Washington State University and graduated with a Sports
Management degree. She has two sons that are D-II tennis
athletes at Hawaii Hilo University and Laura has several
state championships at the high school level as a coach. She
serves as a second mom to the athletes,
As far as tuition, the base cost for out-of-state is
$4,500 for the year. In state, it’s $3,300. We can offer scholarships, unlike many two-year programs, that can offset tuition
significantly.
W
ith the two-year route, it not only gives you a chance to get early playing
time your first two years (most freshmen go to D-I and D-II programs
and only see a few games during those first two years), but on the academic side, it gives you a chance
to test the waters and figure out what you want to major in.
Studies show 70 percent of college students change their major at least once. Our entire coaching staff did as well. In
college, being away from your comfort zone, our personalities really start to develop and start to develop, which changes our
career path. Also, a lot of times, we try a class and realize it’s not the career path we thought it was going to be.
At the two-year level with us, you take all the
same classes you would at the University of Washington
or any other big college during your first two years, but
don’t have to know right away what you want to major
in. It gives you the best chance to figure out what you
want to major in, then be able to transfer to the right
four-year college that offers your degree. The small class
sizes are a plus.
On the soccer side, it gives you a chance to get
noticed. So often, players are overlooked in high school and club. Or at that time, a player wasn’t a need or fit. This is the
second chance. And our players make good on it with big programs from across the country that watch us. Coaches always
need a quick fix and there is no better option than a two-year player on one of the top programs in the country.
When a school does take a transfer, they’re looking at that person to come in and play an important role right away. If
they want someone to come in and sit and gain experience, they will simply grab a freshman. Transfers are much more
important and vital than that. The two-year player is often looked at as a difference maker and someone who can take a
program to a higher new level.
Where winning is cultured, family is created and
memories are made.
We are Highline! We are Family!
On the Pitch
Highline has always been known for success and was
ranked as the No. 12 program in the national polls and
No. 2 on the West Coast
Featuring players from around the west coast and internationally, the
Highline College women’s soccer program is not only on the rise, but getting
national recognition both for their on field performance and academic standards.
On the coaching staff, head coach Tom Moore has been apart of the
program since the 2006 season and is one of the winningest active coaches in the
conference. Prior to Highline, coach Moore played college and professionally in the
Why Highline?
south.
Under coach Moore is assistant coach Chris Wells, who is also an assistant


Over 80 D-I and D-II coaching connections
coach for the NWSL Seattle Reign professional women’s team and goalkeeper coach
across the country creating numerous
T.J. Young, who is considered one of the top up and coming goalie coaches in the
opportunities to transfer on and play.
state.
No. 3 ranked academic two-year school on
west coast.

Nationally ranked soccer program.

PAC-12 standard academic support, which is
On the field, the Highline program plays and trains at the Starfire Sports
Complex Stadium, 5 minutes from campus. This is where the Seattle Sounders train
and play some of their games as well. Play where the pro’s play.
very rare at the two-year level.

Top notch facilities on and off of campus.

Experienced coaches with professional
In the Classroom
Want a top education with a smaller class setting? We have it.
coaching experience on staff.

Close to Seattle.

Small class sizes with professors who all have
M.A.’s or Ph.D.’s,

Highest athlete transfer rate on the west
coast.

Seattle is soccer.

Big city with all the outdoors close by.

Four-year degree options.

2.5 million dollar locker room remodel going
on right now. To go with our state-of-the art
team room.

Ranked No. 3 on the West Coast in academics at the two-year level,
Highline is easily one of the top colleges around. With class sizes ranging from 15 to
30, you not only get a chance to know your professors, but get plenty of one-onone time.
On the athletics side of it, Highline is one of the few two-year programs
nationally that has a full-time academic adviser for their athletes; Laura Rosa.
Laura requires study hall four days a week for an hour for all athletes. In
study hall, athletes are to turn in any cell phones or electronic devises and to use it
solely for studying and homework. Laura also encourages all students to bring and
all work back to her so that she can help the athletes.
Outside of study hall, Laura creates a two-year academic plan for each
Field on campus is facing a multi-million
athlete based off of the schools they may want to transfer to, academic desires and
dollar renovation within the next year.
learning styles. The plan lays out what class will be taken for every quarter.
Having been a D-I athlete with a degree in sports management, a high-level
tennis coach and parent of two D-II athletes, Laura has seen every angle of being an
athlete and truly acts as a second mom for many athletes.
Highline College Women’s Soccer
Beauty is a Check
Seattle is the hidden gem the nation is just starting to
realize.
Highline College Women’s Soccer
Home Sweet Home
Not only is Highline a beautiful campus, the city of Des
Moines isn’t too shabby either.
Highline College Women’s Soccer
Wildlife is Abundant
Although Seattle is a big city, we have plenty of wildlife
to see.
Highline College Women’s Soccer
Need the Outdoors
Go 20 minutes outside of the city and discover a whole
new world.
Highline College Women’s Soccer
Ocean and Rainforest
Seattle has a little bit of everything nearby.
Highline College Women’s Soccer
Seattle is Soccer and
Highline Home Field
Be apart of the family.
Highline College Women’s Soccer
Be Apart of the Family!
Contact us today!
Questionnaire: https://www.frontrush.com/
FR_Web_App/Player/PlayerSubmit.aspx?
sid=NjY0NQ==-SfsWyLcgVC0=&ptype=recruit
To contact us directly, contact assistant coach
Chris Wells at [email protected] or 206-6139064 (text works!).
For Facebook, follow our bustling site here:
https://www.facebook.com/HighlineWSoccer