Galvao Named First Varsity Soccer Coach at OBU

December 15, 2003

Oklahoma Baptist University's move toward soccer took a big step into reality Monday with the hiring of a coach -- Marcelo Galvao.

Galvao comes to OBU from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, where he has been men's and women's soccer coach since 2002. His men's team was 11-8 last fall, while his women's team was 6-9-2. He was the NCCAA Central Region's Women's Coach of the Year in 2002. Last year, Galvao was voted MCAC Conference Coach of the year, and NCCAA Central Region Men's Coach of the Year.

"I had a few offers, but I really only felt called to OBU," said Galvao. "What the institution stands for -- a commitment to excellence -- is what really drew me here. OBU is committed to excellence in athletics and academics."

Galvao will coach both men and women. Assistant coach positions have not yet been filled.

"I think it's an excellent fit," said Dr. Norris Russell, OBU director of athletics. "I think his credentials and accomplishments align very favorably with what we had in mind. We're delighted to have him here. He's young and energetic and the type of person that you would look for to build a program from the ground up."

A 1996 graduate of Judson College in Illinois and a native of Brazil, Galvao held the Judson records for season assists (28), career assists (78), season points (100) and career points (236). Judson ranks second all-time in wins in the NAIA. He was a three-time NAIA All-Region and NCCAA All-American. Galvao's career points rank sixth in the NAIA and he had two season assists totals ranked in the NAIA's best eight all-time.

He coached the Judson women's team from 1999-2002, taking a 1-14 program to the NCCAA national tournament where the team won the Sportsmanship Award. Galvao was 24-22-1 over three years at Judson.

"I've been involved in college soccer for the last 11 years as a player or a coach," Galvao said. "I hope to be competitive in the first year. The great thing about the Sooner Athletic Conference is that every team can beat anyone on any day. We'll get stronger in the first few years. It takes a while to get established, but we will have a solid program."

Galvao is involved with Futsal, a five-on-five variant of soccer usually played indoors with no sideboards.

Galvao, who holds dual citizenship in Brazil and the USA, is already at work on the program, which will begin in the fall 2004. Galvao hit the ground running when he met with several recruits on December 15.

"Probably the first thing we need to do is an assessment of the student athletes who have contacted us about playing here," Galvao said. "We also have to start planning for fields and do scheduling, develop a workout plan for the offseason and get settled in."

Galvao and his wife, Lisa, have two young sons, Silas and Titus.