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by Jacob Norling '20

Morgan Cathey will lead the men’s soccer team into NCAA Division II competition next fall with a wealth of playing and coaching experience. A former men’s soccer head coach at Stanislaus State, he graduated from Azusa Pacific (APU), where he played goalkeeper before playing and coaching professionally in South Africa.

“His experience, combined with a compelling vision for the future of the program, stood out in the hiring process,” says Robert Ruiz, �Ļ�ӰԺ’s athletic director. “I believe his enthusiasm and framework for student-athlete development, both athletically and spiritually, will contribute to the continued growth of our men’s soccer program.”

Cathey, 39, is just the fifth head coach in the 58-year history of �Ļ�ӰԺ men’s soccer.

“I believe that success within a collegiate program embodies every form of opportunity for growth available,” he says. “�Ļ�ӰԺ provides a platform to shape not just the soccer player but also the whole person. Success for us looks like young men growing to become the best soccer players they can be and being equipped to become the best version of themselves when they leave �Ļ�ӰԺ. We’ll encourage young men to make an immediate impact in the world in whatever vocation they pursue.”

In 2005 Cathey received an NAIA All-American honorable mention at APU, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry.

He played professionally for three years with Ajax Cape Town in South Africa, where he coached professionally from 2009-11. He served as head coach at Whitworth University in Washington, posting a record of 82-39-16 in seven seasons and winning three consecutive Northwest Conference Championships. He returned to Stanislaus State in 2020, where he had previously served as an assistant coach, compiling an overall 11-18-7 record as head coach.

“My goal is to create the most enjoyable college soccer experience possible,” Cathey says. “When people come and watch us play, it will be enjoyable because the athletes enjoy playing.”

Morgan and his wife, Cari, have three children, Bauer, Lucca and Mallie.