Black Hawk College didn’t have to look far for its next women’s soccer head coach – he was just down the road at United Township High School.
Alex Sandoval is in his second year as the head girls soccer coach and associate boys soccer coach at United Township High School, his alma mater. He will continue to coach UT’s Panthers while leading the Braves.
“Alex is culture driven and expects to continue to build on the recent success of our program and hopes to build a strong community presence,” said Arnie Chavera, BHC athletic director.
“I am excited for the future of Black Hawk women’s soccer and to have Coach Sandoval lead our program,” he said.
“As a coach I believe in creating that family culture and getting each player to believe in each other as a unit, not as individual,” Sandoval said.
“It’s not just about finding the right athletes, it’s about finding the right student-athletes who will fit our culture and make this program great for years to come,” he said.
Sandoval also said academics will be a top priority.
“The main reason the athletes are in college is to pursue academics and get a degree,” he said.
“The BHC women’s soccer staff will do all we can to help each player succeed in their schoolwork,” Sandoval said. “They are students first, athletes second.”
About Alex Sandoval
Sandoval is a 1999 graduate of United Township High School and was a key contributor to the Panthers’ 4th place state team in 1998. He was a two-time All-State, All-Region and All-Conference selection and was named QC Co-Player of the Year in 1997. In January 2022, he was inducted into the UTHS Hall of Fame.
Coaching at Black Hawk College returns Sandoval to his junior college roots. He began his collegiate career playing at Lincoln College – a two-year school in central Illinois – and was a two-time All-Region selection while earning his Associate in Arts.
Sandoval then transferred to Monmouth College (NCAA DIII) where he was a two-time All-Conference winner for the Fighting Scots while earning his bachelor’s degree in business management.
Sandoval coached club soccer for 12 years as the director of coaching for girls with the East Moline Silvis Soccer Club (EMSSC) and earned a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “D” license.