GUNNISON, Colo. Western Colorado Athletics Director Miles Van Hee announced on Tuesday the hiring of Joshua Alcala as the new Mountaineer head women's soccer coach.
Alcala arrives in Gunnison after spending the past two seasons as the assistant coach with the women's program at Colorado College (CC), an NCAA Division I member of the Mountain West conference.
The Tigers compiled a combined 10-20-7 record in 2022 and 2023, including a 7-10-5 mark in MW action.
While at CC Alcala was involved in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, coaching, scouting, budget, social media, and travel, and was the lead for technology and video as well as overseeing the academic performance and personal development of the program's student athletes.
"It is significant and exciting to progress into the head coaching of a program, especially in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference," said Alcala about taking the step from assistant to program leader. "I've followed the RMAC since I arrived in Colorado (2022) and have been extremely impressed with the level of play and accomplished coaching staffs.
"Becoming a head coach at Western is a dream come true because I view it as a place our family could be for a long period of time."
Alcala was a four-year scholarship athlete in men's soccer at D-I University of South Carolina where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in media art in 2006. He later earned his Master of Science degree in sport management from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 2020.
His coaching career began as a volunteer assistant with the women's soccer program at Texas State University. Alcala would eventually serve as a head coach of Chicago Fire Juniors City and at AFCE Union (Wis.), as well as assistant coach positions at Purdue University-Northwest, Wis.-Parkside during his years in its master's program, Illinois College, and immediately prior to CC, back at Texas State.
"Coach Alcala has a resume that displays years of experience and mentorship, and one that includes years of work with strong mentors," said Western Director of Athletics Miles Van Hee. "This is a rock-solid coach that has been and
is a leader."
"Joshua brings a wealth of knowledge to our Mountaineer program, and we are excited to see him implement that background and elevate Western soccer within not just the RMAC but also nationally.
"He is excited, as are we, about bringing his family to the valley and joining our University and Gunnison community," added Van Hee.
On joining the Mountaineer athletics department, Alcala offered that "it's an exciting time to be at Western. The combination of new resources invested in women's soccer and the strength of the RMAC put the program in an excellent position to be successful. I look forward to collaborating with an already competitive group of players to build a sustainable and successful future with the Mountaineers.
"I'd like to thank the search committee, the players and (Western Colorado) President Baca for selecting me to lead Western women's soccer. This opportunity would not have been possible with the support of my partner, Kristen, who is very excited to join the Gunnison and Western Colorado University communities. We look forward to bringing our family to the area and can't wait to get started!"
Alcala will begin work at Western on January 15.
