Long-Time Head Coach Starts New Chapter

Published April 26, 2016

After 23 years of coaching women’s soccer at Clarks Summit University, Dr. Chris Davis plans to step down after the spring 2016 semester. The long-time head coach will finish his career with 270 wins and 15 winning seasons.

Under his leadership, the women’s soccer team amassed six National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division II national championships, one North Eastern Athletics Conference (NEAC) title and an appearance in the 2007 NCAA Division III tournament. Coach Davis’ teams dominated in the early history of NCCAA Division II women’s soccer, winning the championship title the first four consecutive years of his head coaching career. Joining the NEAC in 2005, the women’s soccer team went 8-1 in their first season in the new conference with the legendary head coach. 

His players say his dedication and ability to motivate student-athletes has been exceptional. Alumna soccer player Jen Cornetto describes him as an inspiration and motivator. “I have carried over into my own teaching and coaching many of those positive examples and life lessons he taught me in my years at then BBC.” 

Coach Davis was appointed a full-time member of Clarks Summit University’s Physical Education faculty in 1976 and division chair in 2005. His career also included coaching wrestling, cross country and track and field as well as serving as director of Big Blue Soccer Camp. He was inducted in the Defender Athletics Hall of Honor in 2009. He earned a Ph.D. in Physical Education and Behavior Psychology from The Ohio State University. He retired from his career as a professor in 2014 and was named Professor Emeritus in 2015. Dr. Bill Higley, vice president for academics, presented Coach Davis with the title. “Chris has been a mentor to so many faculty, coaches and, of course, student athletes,” says Dr. Higley. “He’s an example of faithfulness. He never loses his energy and passion.”

Coach Davis’s future plans include partnering with alumni to help with sports ministry in Ecuador.