Coach of the Year - Jeff Paulus
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is proud to announce Jeff Paulus of the NAIT Ooks has been named the ACAC Men's Soccer North Coach of the Year.
For the second time in three years, Jeff Paulus has been named the ACAC Men's Soccer Coach of the Year, solidifying his reputation as one of the top coaches in the conference. Under Paulus' leadership, the NAIT Ooks continued their dominance in the ACAC, finishing the 2024 season with an impressive 9-1-2 record and leading the league with 36 goals scored. This season's success further cements the Ooks' position as strong contenders in the conference.
Paulus is no stranger to the NAIT Ooks program, having first coached the men's team in 2004 before a successful stint with FC Edmonton. During his time with FC Edmonton, Paulus advanced from the Academy's lead coach to the head coach of the senior professional team in the Canadian Premier League. After departing FC Edmonton in 2020, Paulus returned to NAIT in 2021, initially coaching the women's soccer program before transitioning back to the men's side in 2022. Since then, he has led the Ooks to consistent top-tier finishes in the ACAC North Division.
With a career that includes coaching at the Canada Soccer National Training Centre and involvement in various provincial programs, Paulus has demonstrated an ability to develop teams and talent at every level. His leadership and strategic approach have been key to the Ooks' continued success, and his Coach of the Year title in 2024 is a testament to his lasting impact on the program.
"We are extremely proud to have Jeff lead our men's soccer program. He has worked hard to make sure his program is as much about academic success as it is about soccer, all the while keeping the team near the top of the standings. Jeff is very deserving of this award, and we are excited to see what's next for the NAIT men's soccer program," said Jordan Richey, the Director of Athletics & Recreation at NAIT.
Player of the Year - Peter Jones
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Peter Jones of the NAIT Ooks has been selected as the 2024 ACAC Men's Soccer North Player of the Year.
Peter Jones has once again been named the ACAC North Men's Soccer Player of the Year, marking his second consecutive year winning the title. After another remarkable season with the NAIT Ooks, Jones solidified his reputation as one of the top players in the conference.
This season, Jones played in 11 of the 12 conference games, starting all 11, and was instrumental in both scoring and playmaking. He recorded three goals and five assists, amassing 11 points while taking 11 shots on goal. Jones also scored a crucial game-winning goal, further proving his ability to come through in decisive moments.
Jones' leadership and consistent excellence have been key to the Ooks' success, and his back-to-back Player of the Year titles highlight his significant impact on the team and the conference.
"I am delighted to see Peter win this award again. For me, and excuse the obvious bias, Peter is the most dominant player in this league, and I am thankful to my coaching colleagues for looking past the obvious goalscoring stats to reward a player who controls the game in and out of possession. Peter is that rare type of player who can take over a game, put the team on his back, and will the group to victory. Often asked to protect the backline and control the central area of the pitch, Peter has added goal-scoring to his repertoire and has somehow managed to elevate his game from last year. We are blessed to have him," said Head Coach Jeff Paulus.
Jones, a third-year Business Administration student, has made a lasting impact on both the ACAC and the NAIT Ooks men's soccer programs.
Rookie of the Year - Matthew Herbut
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Matthew Herbut of the NAIT Ooks has been selected as the 2024 ACAC Men's Soccer North Rookie of the Year.
Matthew Herbert had an impressive debut season with the NAIT Ooks. Playing in ten conference games and starting in 8 of them, Herbert quickly established himself as a key player for the team.
During the season, Herbert showcased his offensive capabilities, recording four goals and one assist, bringing his season point total to 9 points. His 11 shots on goal reflected his consistent threat on the field, and his contributions were crucial, including netting a game-winning goal for the Ooks. Herbert's outstanding performance throughout his rookie campaign has helped propel the Ooks to the ACAC Championship.
"I believe it is a rare thing for a team to have ten first year players all having this level of impact on a team's success. This perhaps makes Matt's recognition from my peers that much more impressive for him. Matt is quite simply a joy to watch. He is a player who excels in all attacking actions whether that be scoring from 20-30 yards out, slipping players through that I didn't even realize were an option, or playing with an edge in midfield that often sees him overwhelm his direct opponent. Matt receiving this award is an acknowledgment of his experiences in the game, his value to the Ooks, and a testament to the influence that all of our first years have had on the program this year," said Head Coach Jeff Paulus.
Herbut, the first-year Business Administration student, has been a great addition to the Ooks roster.