Trish Crider has been named head coach for the Harlan County Lady Bears Soccer Team.
Crider has coached as an assistant for the Lady Bears under former Coach Troy Gaw. She also has been head coach of the co-ed Black Mountain Tigers in the elementary and middle school soccer league.
Under her leadership, Black Mountain won numerous league titles and provided quality record setting players for the girls and boys high school soccer teams.
Kenzie Crider, her daughter, is a former member of the HCHS team and Black Mountain team. She will be an assistant for the squad for the 2025 season.
“Mrs. Crider was an integral part of our success in girls’ soccer when she was an assistant coach for several years,” said Harlan County High School Athletic Director Eugene Farmer. “Her background knowledge of the program, the facilities, and the girls made it a good fit.”
Farmer said, “She’s a current administrator in our district and I think that she’ll be able to mentor the young ladies and be a great role model for them. One thing that really stood out to me is her organization and planning. Those things will make it a very smooth transition, and I fully expect our Girls Soccer team to be very competitive and to continue to grow”.
The Criders have visited all eight elementary schools in recent days recruiting for next year’s team.
“We want to promote junior varsity this year, as well as varsity,” she said. “We are inviting and encouraging them to come out and play.”
Crider is working to establish a good, competitive schedule for next season.
“We hope to continue to grow the program,” said Crider. “We hope to have more girls come out and participate. If you have any doubt about the growth of soccer in Kentucky and across the nation, just take a quick look at the soccer facilities going up at the Lexington I-75 Exit 104.
Conditioning will begin after spring break.
A parent meeting will be held on Monday, 24th, at 5:30 p.m. in the James A. Cawood Elementary School lunchroom. All new and returning players and parents are urged to attend this meeting.
Any girl who did not sign up on the schools visits and interested in playing should attend this meeting as well.
Physical forms and other important information will be distributed.
Kenzie has also served as a volunteer coach for the Wallins soccer program for five years, winning the county title last year with an undefeated season.
T. Crider is guidance counselor at Black Mountain Elementary School.
K. Crider is a pre-veterinarian student at Lincoln Memorial University.