Friday, February 2, 2007

Dahlonega, GA – North Georgia College & State University Athletic Director Randy Dunn announced that Patrice Parris has been named as the new head men's soccer coach at the institution this morning.

Parris comes to North Georgia from Georgia Southern, where he was a four-year letterwinner for the Eagles from 1994-97, joining the Statesboro (Ga.) High coaching staff after concluding his career at Georgia Southern. Parris spent three years at Statesboro, helping the Blue Devils win back-to-back region championships. After that, he joined the Georgia Southern coaching staff where he served in that capacity until accepting the position at North Georgia.  

During his collegiate career, Parris played in 75 games at the forward, marking back and outside midfield positions. He helped Georgia Southern to a 14-4-2 record his senior year by scoring five goals and registering four assists for 14 points. Two of his goals came in the Southern Conference Tournament first-round game versus Appalachian State, in which he helped the Eagles to a 7-5 win to continue the stellar season. Parris finished his playing career having scored 15 goals and 10 assists for 40 points. He also recorded four-game winning goals during his stay and helped Georgia Southern to its first-ever national ranking. 

Parris’ high school days were spent at Bradwell Institute (Hinesville, Ga.), where he was a four-year letterwinner. In 1993 he was named the team’s Best Offensive Player, only to better that his senior season when he was tabbed the Coastal Empire Most Valuable Player and Bradwell’s Best Offensive Player. 

Parris graduated from Georgia Southern in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in sport management. Parris holds his USSF D license and holds a NSCAA National Diploma and an Advanced NSCAA National Diploma. He also serves as the Director of the Statesboro Park and Recreation U-15 soccer travel squad. In the summer of 1999, Parris was called up to train with the Jamaican (Reggae Boys) National Team.

He takes over a team that finished 5-12-1 overall and 3-4 in Peach Belt Conference play. The Saints will return six starters from last year's team.

-NGCSU-

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