Contact information for Coach Nussbaum
Office phone: 419-358-3010
E-mail: nussbaumr@bluffton.edu
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Patrick (Rick) Nussbaum, assistant men’s and women’s soccer coach at Bluffton University since 2005, has been named head coach of the two teams, Bluffton Athletics Director Phill Talavinia announced Thursday. “As an assistant coach for five seasons, Rick developed strong relationships with our student athletes and recruits. He believes in the mission of Bluffton University and he wants to be part of moving our athletics program to a new level,” said Phill Talavinia, athletics director.
“It is a pleasure to announce Rick’s appointment as head coach. In his interim role, Rick’s leadership this past season yielded positive results both on and off the field,” Talavinia said. “We are excited for Rick to draw from his past head coaching successes as he develops strong soccer programs at Bluffton.” In his only season as interim head coach, Nussbaum led the women’s team to its best-ever record in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (4-4-1) and a 7-9-2 mark overall. The men’s team posted a 2-7 record in the conference and was 4-13 overall in 2010.
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Nussbaum, who holds a master of business administration degree from the university, replaces Steve Smucker, who resigned after seven seasons as head men’s and women’s coach.
Nussbaum has previous head coaching experience as the men’s coach at Hesston College from 2000-01 and as boys’ coach at Elkhart (Ind.) Memorial High School, where his teams compiled a 77-50-11 record from 1992-2000.
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Currently, Nussbaum is youth boys director of coaching and board member for the Findlay (Ohio) Soccer Club.
A licensed soccer official, he has also been athletic director at Dayton Christian High School (2001-05); head coach of the Dayton Galaxies, a U-18 boys’ soccer team (2003-04); and manager of the Elkhart Soccer Arena (1994-95). Nussbaum holds an Advanced National License from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as well as a Level II Goalkeeping Certificate. He currently resides in Bluffton with his wife Aphaphanh and his two children, Logan and Sydney. |
Contact info for Coach Cunningham
Office phone:
E-mail: cunninghamj@bluffton.edu
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Bluffton University welcomes Jason Cunningham to the soccer coaching staff. Cunningham is a 2009 graduate of Cedarville University as a Dean’s Honor List student with degrees in exercise science and sport management. He was a multi-sport standout at Cedarville High School and was an all-state defensive back in football as a senior. |
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Jason Cunningham was a four-year letter winner in the men’s soccer program at Cedarville University. He played primarily in the back, but was versatile enough to see playing time at midfield and at forward. Cunningham battled through injuries during his career to play in 66 matches with 36 starts. He tallied five goals and eight assists for 18 points.
Cunningham, a native of Cedarville, Ohio, was a two-year team captain and was twice voted to the All-NCCAA Midwest Region Team. He was a two-time NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete. He currently resides in Bluffton.
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