Dr. Leigh Sears to be Honored at September 14 Women's Soccer Game

Pictured, Dr. Leigh Sears

Hope College and Hope College Athletics will celebrate the coaching career of Dr. Leigh Sears, the Flying Dutch's most successful and longest-tenured women's soccer coach during the Saturday, Sept. 14, home game vs. Illinois Tech.

The game kicks off at 1 p.m. at Van Andel Soccer Stadium. The Sears celebration is scheduled to be held at halftime.

Sears stepped down as head coach in June but continues to teach and mentor students through her role as a full-time member of the college's kinesiology faculty. She also serves as an assistant coach on the women's soccer team.

As head coach, Sears amassed 310 victories over 29 seasons, including 270 victories, seven NCAA Division III Tournament appearances and six MIAA regular-season championships with the Flying Dutch since 2000. Before arriving at Hope, Sears coached at Marietta College (Ohio) from 1994 to 1999.

Hope has excelled in the classroom, too, during her tenure, earning the MIAA's Team GPA Award in all of her seasons as head coach.

Director of Athletics Tim Schoonveld said in June Sears has shined as an outstanding representation of Hope Athletics and Hope College women's soccer throughout her successful career.

"In her own way, Leigh has developed a deep and meaningful relationship with the women within her program. Her holistic vision has taught the women within our program what it means to be strong, confident women who love the Lord and compete with excellence and strength," Schoonveld said. "She is beloved by the student-athletes and alumni who have played for her and she has done so much for the women, the program and the college. We are excited for this new next step as she transitions into the classroom fully. I am so grateful for the impact and foundation she has laid within the Hope College Women's Soccer program."

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