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--y . ··. ·. .. -.......___,. : -·-'--·· . . - Gra),-N:Iassey ·named new women's soccer coach at ECCC

said Massey. "I am looking for– ward to the challenge as I also keep pushing myself to get bet– ter as a coach. I'm looking for– ward to the upcoming season and recruiting quality student– athletes who are willing to do what is necessary for East Central to have a successful pro– gram." ECCC President Dr. Billy Stewart said Massey is a wel– comed addition to the College's coaching staff. "Gray Massey is an outstand– ing coach with a proven track record of commitment to both the· academic achievement an4 athletic development of student– athletes under his leadership," said Dr. Stewart. "As a success– ful coach of championship pro– grams at Florence High School, be knows what it takes to build and maintain a successful soccer program. The search committee and I are confident be is the right person to elevate women's soc– cer at East Central to new heights. We have no doubt that

In addition to the two state titles . the Lady Eagles won District titles from 2007-2011 and finished South State finalist in 2007. Massey was also selected 2012 Teacher of the Year at Florence High School, where be teaches U.S. History, Introduction to World Geography and Mississippi Studies. Massey's resume includes serving as coach for lbe Jackson Futbol Club and Aggieland Soccer Club Teams. He bas also worked as a goal keeper coach at Texas A&M Women's Soccer Camp summer camps in College Station. Massey, a Brandon native, is a former standout soccer player at Northwest Rankin High School. He received a soccer scholar– ship to Hinds Community College where the goalkeeper was an All-Region 23 selection in 1996. He continued his success at

Co a c b Mas se y will build o u r women' s soccer pro– gram the ' EC Way – Excellence with Class' as that embodies Gray as

the 2011 state championship. He is recognized as only the second high school soccer coach to lead both girls• and boys• teams to state soccer titles. Massey's coaching success has not gone unnoticed, as evi– dent by his numerous accolades. Honors received as boys' coach include NFHS Mississippi Coach of the Year in 2012, 2012 AU-Star Coach, 20 II Mississippi Association of Coaches Boys' Soccer Coach of the Year and District Coach of the Year (2()()(r l2). In addition to the state title in 20II , his Florence Eagles won South State championships in 2007. 2008 and 2011 and cap– tured district titles from 2006- 11. The Soccer Eagles were South State fmalists in 2006 and 2010 and North State fmalists in 2013. As girls' soccer coach, Massey received District Coach of the Year honors in 2007, 2008, 2QIO, ~HI and ~12.

Mississippi College in Clinb where in 1998 he was nam second team All-Easb Division in the Americ Southwest Conference. He received a bacbelo degree in sociology Mississippi College in N. 2001. He expects to complete master's degree in coach education at Ohio Universit) Athens, Ohio, inAugust 201' He belds Natio Goalkeeper and National Yc licenses from the United St Soccer Federation. He also holds Advan National and Nati< Goalkeeper diplomas from National Soccer Coacl Association ofAmerica. In a tion, be holds a National Coaching License with United States So Federation. He and his wife, La11 have two children, Reid, I and Ryleigb, two.

After leading Florence High School soccer teams to three consecutive state titles during a highly successful eight-year tenure as head coach, Gray Massey hopes to continue his success on the college level. 1 Massey was recently selected l women's soccer coach at East Central Community College in Decatur. He officially begins his new duties in June 2013. Massey, 35, succeeds Kenneth Thompson who has led the Lady Warrior program since its inception in 2005. Thompson continues to serve as men's soccer coach. The new Lady Warrior Soccer head mentor said coach– ing soccer on the college level has been a goal since be was a teenager. He brings more than just a successful high school career to his new position. "I bring energy, excitement and a passion for the game that will translate to our players,"

Gray Massey

both a person and a coach. We welcome Gray and his family to the East Central family. We are excited that be will be leading the women's soccer program at East Central Community College." Massey led the Lady Eagles soccer team to two straight state championships, the most recent coming Saturday, Feb. 2, with a 2-0 victory over West Lauderdale for the MHSAA Class 4A title. The 2012-13 Lady Eagles finished 16-5-3. Massey also coached lbe boys' soccer team fO

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