For Julie Woodward, coaching isn't about leading her team to the win. Although victory is certainly a plus, Woodward sees in her position as head coach of the women's soccer team as an opportunity to teach her players greater lessons than those used on the field. As a result, Woodward greets her nomination for Seattle Sports Star of the Year with humility and a desire for self-improvement, two of the qualities she tries to instill in the character of all her players.
In December, the Seattle Sports Commission listed Woodward as a Seattle Sports Star of the Year nominee. According to the Seattle Times, Woodward will vie for the title with nominees including U.S. Lightweight Boxing Champion Queen Underwood, University of Washington softball pitcher Jen Salling, Maddie Meyers, winner of four state cross-country titles, and former Gonzaga point guard Courtney Vandersloot. The recipient will be announced on Jan. 25.
"I think [the nomination] was a little bit embarrassing at first," said Woodward, "but I think that some of the ... reasons for which I was nominated are because I've been blessed to have great players in the program and I've been blessed to have a great assistant coaching staff."
Although modest, Woodward has a lot to brag about. Ringing in her 200th career victory this past season, Woodward holds an all-time career coaching record of 205-80-26 and a .701 winning percentage.
Even in the midst of revamping Seattle U athletics, Woodward's talent has shone through. Embracing the switch to Division One, Woodward is already ranked in the NCAA Division One all-time coaching record books. She is the No. 5 winningest coach and is ranked No. 2 in victories among active coaches with less than five years at the Division One level.
"The transition has been great because ... I think it's drawn a different type of student-athlete to Seattle U. I think it's been fun. It's become more of a challenge for me and I've welcomed it," Woodward said.
It is probably Woodward's leadership skills and patience that have allowed her to welcome the change. Since joining her first team, the Mighty Mice, at age five, soccer instilled in Woodward the virtues of a leader. Off the field, motherhood taught her patience, a quality she believes particularly lends itself to successful coaching. Today, all four of her kids play soccer and will likely learn the lessons their mother did through the sport.
"[Growing up with soccer] is one thing I'm always thankful for," Woodward said. "I think being part of a team teaches you to be a good team player, a good communicator, a good leader. I think because it's a lot of work and a lot of relationships, it translates to so many other things you do in life."
A Seattle U alum, Woodward played on the women's team from 1989 to 1993 while pursuing a degree in criminal justice. During her time at Seattle U, she wanted to become an attorney, but an assistant coaching position at the University of Montana sent her down a different path. After four years of assistant coaching, the Seattle U head coach
position opened.
"My experience at Seattle U was such a great experience. ... [Seattle U] was a place that I really believed in and felt like I could recruit student athletes to, so I applied for the job," Woodward said.
Now entering her 15th year as the women's soccer coach, Woodward realizes she's not far from where she thought she would be growing up.
"When I was younger, in high school, I always thought about being a teacher. And in some sense, I think I'm just a different version of a teacher."
As a teacher, Woodward aims to impact the character of her players. Focusing on individual improvement, coaching allows her to impact the lives of her players as they transition into adulthood. A rewarding mission, Woodward makes this impact by trying to establish the best possible relationship with each of her players.
"To get the most of your student-athletes, you have to ensure that they feel cared about and that they're important and valued, not just from an athletic perspective, but as a person," she said.
It's a heavy responsibility, but nothing the ever-competitive Woodward can't handle.
Kellie may be reached at kcox@su-spectator.com
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