Meet Goose Nation’s Newest Additions: Meet WC’s New Assistant Coaches From The Field To The Weight Room

By Andrew Chirico
Sports Editor

Julia Kantor, Florida Tech Class of 2016 – Assistant Coach, Women’s Soccer

Q. How did you get into coaching soccer?
A. Throughout my career, my coaches have had a huge impact on my life both on and off the field. They have, in one way or another, helped to shape who I am today as a player and a person. Over the years, I worked at camps, coaching players of all ages and these experiences inspired me to pursue it as my future. I love this sport and look forward to giving back as a leader and mentor.
Q. How did it feel to get a job offer from WC/how did the process workout?
A. I was extremely grateful to receive an offer from Washington College and thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Coach Kerry. She made every effort to assist me with the process, making it a very smooth transition. I knew from the start this would be a great fit.
Q. What are the biggest difference between DII and DII that you noticed?
A. I am becoming more familiar with the DIII student athlete as I acclimate to the WC team and their competition. At the DII level, many players are on an athletic scholarship. The DIII player must have the same determination and dedication as the DII player while also giving 100% commitment to the sport.
Q. What are you looking to bring to the program in the future?
A. I want to support the team with the balance and discipline of academics and soccer.

Jake Alvarez, Ithaca College Class of 2014 – Assistant Sports Performance Coach

Q.  How did you get into coaching strength and conditioning?
A.  Sophomore year of college I switched my major from psychology to exercise science. Throughout school I began to learn the basics of physiology and training. I was able to personal train and teach group exercise classes at Ithaca College. My whole life I have been interested in almost every sport, and was fascinated by athletic ability. I wanted to learn more about maximizing performance through training.
Q. What have you learned in the past while coaching at Hobart and William Smith Colleges?
A. How much strength and conditioning can really contribute to the success of an athletic team. There seems to be a correlation between the amount of dedication a team has to physically preparing themselves, and their ability to not only succeed on the field, but be able to with stand the demanding physicality of a college season, without getting injured.
Q. Favorite type of workout?
A. I like to do heavy strength training consisting of squatting, pressing, pulling, and pushing. Love the Olympic lifts (snatch clean and jerk) as well as sprinting and high intensity conditioning circuits. There’s not much I don’t enjoy doing.
Q.What are you most excited for this year?
A. Excited to see the impact our sports performance staff has on the success of the athletes. I’m also looking forward to promoting a culture that loves to get stronger mentally, physically, individually, and as a athletic department.

Chris Koch, Washington College Class of 2016- Assistant Coach, Field Hockey

Q. How did the job hiring process come about?
A.Coaching has been on my radar for a while now. Coach Dunshee and I had talked about it being an interest of mine and sometime I wanted to pursue every since my freshman or sophomore year. After the season ended, Coach Dunshee called me into the office and expressed his desire for me to come on board. I think I started helping out in the office later that week.
Q. How does it feel to coach at your alma mater?
A. It’s special. It is easy to work long hours for something you are passionate about and really believe in. This team, these guys, and this program is something that has been really special to me and I’m lucky to be able to give back to the program.
Q. Biggest difference between coaching and playing?
A. I think I have grown to appreciate how much happens behind the scenes to make the games and practices possible. Just little things you wouldn’t think about as a player that are crucial to making the program run smoothly.
Q. Favorite thing about coaching?
A. The relationships. I think that college sports creates really special bonds that last forever. Being able to be a part of that, and help to facilitate that, is pretty incredible.

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