UMC Golden Eagle News Archive:
June 6, 2006 - July 1, 2009

(Crookston, Minn.) – University of Minnesota, Crookston Athletic Director Stephanie Helgeson announced today that Richard Jones of Indianapolis, Ind. has been named the new women’s soccer coach. Jones replaces Chris Przemieniecki who held the position for the previous eight seasons.

“We are excited to bring on an outstanding young coach in Richard Jones to lead the Golden Eagle Soccer program,” says U of M, Crookston Athletic Director Stephanie Helgeson. “He has experience at the NCAA Division I level as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator that will serve him well at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.  Richard will bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm into the program and we look forward to him joining the University of Minnesota, Crookston.”

Jones comes to U of M, Crookston from the Westfield Youth Soccer Association in Westfield, Ind. where he served as the Girls’ Director of Coaching. His responsibilities included oversight and coaching of all the girls’ travel teams. Jones also served as an Indiana Olympic Development Program (ODP) staff coach and a coaching education instructor with Indiana Youth Soccer. During his time with Indiana ODP, his teams won the 2007 ODP Region II Championship and the 2008 ODP National Championship.

Prior to his time in Westfield, he spent the 2007 season as the head assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the women’s soccer program at Indiana State University. Jones was the head assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the men’s soccer program at Valparaiso University from 2006-2007. While at Valparaiso, he coached the Northwest Indiana United ‘92 Girls’ team to the semifinals of the Indiana State Cup and to a number two ranking in the state of Indiana. Jones also served as a student assistant coach with the men’s soccer program at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis (IUPUI) from 2000-2001. Jones has coached two players who are currently in residency with the Under-17 Men’s National Team, multiple state and regional ODP players, as well as multiple all-district and all-state players. He also brings numerous other club and high school coaching experiences in addition to holding a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “B” License, National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) Advanced National Diploma and a USSF National Youth License.

"I want to thank Stephanie Helgeson, Chancellor Casey and the entire U of M, Crookston community for allowing me the wonderful opportunity to be the head coach of the Golden Eagles Soccer program,” says Coach Jones. “I feel this program has the ability to achieve things that have never been done at U of M, Crookston before. I feel very well prepared to lead the Golden Eagles soccer program as I have been blessed to be mentored by some of the best soccer coaches in the midwest."

Jones attended Carthage College (Wis.) for three years where he played soccer and ran track before graduating from IUPUI in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education in August of 2001.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Golden Eagle Hockey is a member of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

-30-