Dayton, May 15, 2019
In three days, the Women’s team, kicks off their season vs AAFC Lumberjills. The game starts at 4pmin a double header with the Men’s team who play at 7pm. Jim Wendling is leading the Women’s team this year as Head Coach. He was already Associate Head Women’s Coachwith the team in 2017. He is being assisted by Kelsey Deal, who previously played for Wright State University. Just before the home opener of the 2019 season we asked him about who he is, where he has coached, his first impressions of the team and expectations on the season.
DDL FC: Who are you and where are you originally from?
JW: I grew up in Waynesville Ohio, a little country town about 30 minutes south of Dayton. I ran cross country, played basketball and ran track. Our community did not have soccer. I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for 36 years. We have two children. A boy who is now 34 whom lives in Texas. A daughter who is 30, married with two children (our grandchildren, 8 and 5 years old). Our two children graduated and did play soccer at Chaminade Julienne High School. I coached them during their club seasons when they were u15-u17. Our two grandchildren play soccer as well.
DDL FC: What is your background as a player and coach?
JW: My background as a soccer player actually started at Sinclair Community College during the late 1970’s, early 1980. They had a team back then, but no longer. We played against mostly DIII college teams as their where no other junior college teams around Ohio. I played two years there, mostly as a right defender because of my speed and aggressive play. After receiving my Associates of Arts Degree, I continued my Education at the University of Dayton where I received my Bachelor of Education Degree. I did not play soccer at University of Dayton. After graduating from college, I spent time in the United States Marine Corps. I was stationed at Camp LeJeune, NC. I played for the USMC East Coast team which came in 2nd place in the East Coast US Military Fleet Regional Championships. After my Military stint, I returned to the Dayton area. I coached at some area high schools. Boys Varsity Head Coach at The Miami Valley School for three years, the Assistant Girls’ Varsity at Alter HS. I then spent three years at Wittenberg University. Two as the Women’s Assistant and one year as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach where we were ranked #7 in the nation (NCAA DIII). I then moved to Urbana University (NAIA) were I spent 10 years. For 9 years I coached the Urbana University Men’s Varsity Team and 9 years as the Women’s Soccer Coach. Then, I accepted the Head Women’s Soccer Coaching position at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. I spent 7 years at Canisius College. We won the only Women’s Soccer MAAC Conference Championship in school history (2010). We upset and defeated the number 25th ranked team in NCAA DI during the season. In 2014 I once again return to the Dayton area and was on the Women’s Soccer Staff as an Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach from 2015-2017. I then became the DDLFC Associate Head Women’s Soccer Coach during the 2017 season under Mike Tucker. Which now brings me to my present position as the Head Coach for the DDL FC Women’s team.
DDL FC: What are your most memorable moments in soccer as a coach?
JW: I guess there are a few. First being Assistant Girls Varsity Coach when we were 15-1-0 and Ranked #1 in Ohio. Then being ranked #7 in the Nation at Wittenberg during the 1995 season (NCAA DIII), coaching two Women’s Soccer teams that were ranked #43 at Urbana University (2001 and 2006) and finally winning the MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship in 2010 at Canisius College.
DDL FC: You were only recently appointed as Head Coach, what did you do to recruit players for the 2019 team?
JW: In order to recruit players for this year’s team, I contacted about 40 college coaches to ask for player recommendations. Coach Mike Tucker provided me with numerous names players whom in knew in which to contact. I used contact information that our GM Corey Whisenhunt already had received, player contacts from the previous staff, a player from the Netherlands through our Dutch Lions FC network and lastly a few players attended tryouts which were advertised on the DDL FC website.
DDL FC: You just had your first training with the team, what is your initial impression?
JW: We have a mix of talented NCAA DI, D2, D3 and NAIA players. I had a great impression of the players during our first training session. They got along very well with each other. We have a hard working group of women with very good technical abilities.
DDL FC: What are your expectations for the season?
JW: My expectations for this years’ team are that we play hard, in the Dutch system of play in a 4-3-3. I want players to perform at their highest level in each game. Possess the ball, while getting number into the attack and win the ball back as quickly as possible with high defensive pressure.
DDL FC: Why should people come and watch our Women’s team?
JW: People and fans should come out and watch our team play because our team will be fun to watch. We have a lot of local talents from local universities and colleges and we play at the 2nd highest level in the USA with a lot of close rivalries such as Cincinnati, Columbus, Indianapolis and Detroit.
Saturday’s game is part of National Armed Forces Day with several family friendly activities before, during and after the games. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at https://ddlfc.com/shop/.