May 8, 2002
Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky men's soccer coach David Holmes announced today the addition of two former collegiate soccer players to his coaching staff for the 2002 season.
Former Hilltopper standout Tawanda Chitapa will join the staff as a student assistant coach while finishing his degree at WKU. Chitapa, a native of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and four-year letterwinner at WKU, finished his player career this past season, ranking second on Western's career assists list. He was also a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection and was named the league's newcomer of the year in 1998.
"Tawanda was a great leader and two-year co-captain during his career with us," said Holmes. "I am confident that he will also be an effective and positive leader as an assistant coach with next year's freshman-dominated team."
Also added to the Hilltopper staff will be Jason Burr, who was promoted from the team's administrative assistant position to graduate assistant coach after completing his U.S. Soccer Federation "C" License. Burr will assist Holmes in all aspects of the Hilltopper soccer program in his new role. He was a member of the 1996 NAIA National Championship team at Lindsey Wilson College before transferring to Mid-Continent College where he helped the Cougars to a 10-6 record in their inaugural 2000 season. Burr began his coaching career in 1997 as an assistant on both the boys and girls soccer teams at his alma mater, Clarksville-Northwest High School in Clarksville, Tenn. From there he was named the head coach at the Clarksville Academy in 2000, while also serving as head coach of the '82 Clarksville Lady Royals club team. Since moving to Bowling Green, Burr has served as head coach for the Wolves Soccer Club '92 Girls team.
"Coach Burr has been a hard working and loyal administrative assistant He is serious about coaching," said Holmes. "Jason has done an outstanding job assisting me administratively in 2001-02. I look forward to working with him in this new position, which should offer him plenty of opportunity for growth. Jason has been a great ambassador for our program in Bowling Green having coached several youth soccer teams in the community. I expect him to be a tremendous help with recruiting, on-field coaching, and fundraising."
The Hilltoppers finished the 2001 campaign 7-10, advancing to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament for the fourth consecutive year.
-- WKU --
