Southern Promotes Prather to Soccer Head Coach (781 hits)
Courtesy: SWAC.org
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Southern University has elevated Courtnie Prather to head coach of the women's soccer program.
Prior to her promotion, Prather served as assistant coach for three seasons under John Knighten. Knighten guided the Lady Jaguars as head coach for eight seasons.
As an assistant, Prather served as the program's liason for academic advisement, recruiting, fundraising, marketing and promotions. In addition to day-to-day operations, Prather's duties included scouting opponents, coaching goalkeepers, and assisting in the team's strengthening and conditioning.
Before joining the staff at SU, Prather completed six seasons as an assistant coach for the William Carey University men and women's soccer programs. She began her stint at WCU as the men's assistant coach for three years before joining the women's staff.
She helped guide the women's team to four winning seasons, three NAIA Regional Tournament appearances, and an undefeated season in 2007. In 2008, WCU made an Elite Eight appearance after capturing their third consecutive regular season and tournament Southern States Conference Championships. The Crusaders were ranked as high as No. 3 in the NAIA National Poll.
Prather's tenure in Hattiesburg, Miss. included serving as camp director for both soccer programs. She also served as the Director of Goalkeeper Training for the Hattiesburg Youth Soccer Association (2004 - 2010) and was also camp director for both the youth recreational and select soccer programs.
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Prather played collegiate soccer at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and William Carey. She ranks among the top in several career categories. As a result of her play at UALR from 1996-98, she is tied third all-time in goals against (58), ranks fifth all-time in goals-against average (2.32), and is seventh in saves (159).
After transfering to WCU, she completed her career at as one of the NAIA top goalkeepers in the nation in the goals-against per game and saves categories.
She graduated from WCU, receiving her bachelor's degree in Psychology (2008) and her masters in Child and Adolescent Psychology in 2010. Between her stints at UALR and WCU, Prather spent seven years in the United States Air Force and Texas Army National Guard.
Prather currently holds NSCAA Goalkeeping I, II, and III diplomas and a U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) "D" license. She also currently serves on the Goalkeeper Coaching Staff for the Louisiana Olympic Development Program and the Baton Rouge Soccer Club. Her duties began during the early part of the spring semester.
