After three years coaching at Santa Rosa Junior College, a Big 8 Conference title and sending nine athletes to four-year soccer programs, former women’s soccer head coach Tracy Hamm has a new gig.
Hamm, who led the Bear Cubs to an overall record of 43-16-5, is calling San Francisco State University her new home as the new women’s soccer head coach for the Gators.
She was at Disneyland Dec. 21, 2014, when she got the offer to take the head coaching job. “I’m beyond excited for the opportunity to be back coaching in the NCAA,” Hamm said. “I feel honored to lead the SF State women’s soccer program and enhance its future successes.”
Hamm is the newest coach in 32 years for the Gators. They finished ninth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association rankings in 2014, with a record of 2-8-1.
“Soccer is her life, there was never a question of her commitment,” said Annie Studdert, who was on the team last year. “San Francisco State definitely got a steal by signing her as head coach before a big name DI [Division I] or national program did.”
She credits SRJC as playing a huge part in her career. “I learned so much about motivation, commitment, and focusing on the holistic development of student-athletes.”
Hamm doesn’t see the records or accomplishments as goals but wants her players to feel proud of everything they have done. “My goal is for every player to feel that they contributed to the program’s success and they can say, with all honesty, their experience made them a better person, teammate, athlete and student,” Hamm said.
Hamm also impacted her players, like Studdert. “Tracy set an example for us,” she said. “She helped remind me of the potential I have and of the high level I could be because I had been selling myself short and not putting in the full effort that I once had.”
Studdert also said Hamm helped her get back into the love of soccer and she made things easier to understand during practice, even getting on the field with them and showing them how it’s done. “She broke things down and made sure we understood the fundamentals before building,” Studdert said. “She is the best soccer coach I have ever had.”
Hamm wants to challenge herself every day, like she did at SRJC, hoping to be the best coach possible at the same time. “My job as a coach is for athletes to push themselves, gain self-confidence, develop leadership skills and learn how to compete, all through the beautiful game of soccer,” she said.
With the new coaching gig and an opportunity to continue her success at SFSU, Hamm will never forget what she’s leaving behind. “SRJC has very high standards and a winning mentality; it challenged me every day to be my best,” she said. “I will miss my peers, students, and athletes and want to thank them for all the experiences I gained through working with them.”
Lenny Wagner, Chair of the Athletics Department and SRJC football coach is proud and wishes the best for Hamm. “She did a great job at SRJC and will be missed big time by her players, fellow coaches and faculty,” he said. “She is going to be great wherever she goes and SF State is lucky to have her.”
